Written by Helen Seers, Helen Cooke and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated August 13, 2009

Co-enzyme Q10

Abstract and key points

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance produced naturally by the body.
  • No evidence exists to support CoQ10 working as an anti-cancer agent.
  • Weak evidence available that CoQ10 protects the heart from chemotherapy-induced toxicity.
  • No evidence available for the effects of CoQ10 on counteracting fatigue.
  • Only minor side effects have been reported.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance produced naturally by the body and used to assist the function of certain important enzymes within the cell. CoQ10 can be taken in supplement form and is suggested to provide some benefit to those with cancer.

In the context of cancer, CoQ10 is claimed to have three main possible benefits: a) possible anti-cancer effect, b) to protect the heart from toxic damage caused by chemotherapy drugs and c) to counteract chronic fatigue.

There is no evidence to support CoQ10 working as an anti-cancer agent. Although its use alongside other antioxidant supplements appears to show some anti-cancer benefit in preliminary trials, further higher quality studies of CoQ10 alone are needed to demonstrate its efficacy as an anti-cancer supplement. Trials in which CoQ10 is used as part of a supplement combination do not provide information about the efficacy and safety of CoQ10.

There is some evidence that CoQ10 may protect the heart from chemotherapy-induced toxicity but the overall evidence from a systematic review and a small selection of methodologically flawed clinical studies to support this protective property is weak.

To date no clinical trials have been conducted testing whether CoQ10 counteracts chronic fatigue.

Some fairly minor side effects have been reported, two recent reviews report that data from preclinical and clinical studies show that CoQ10 is highly safe as a dietary supplement. Little is, however, known about its use alongside chemotherapeutic drugs, either in terms of safety or how it may affect the anti-tumour activity of these agents.

Citation Helen Seers, Helen Cooke, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Co-enzyme Q10 [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Biologically-Based-Practices/Co-enzyme-Q10. August 13, 2009.

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