Chemoprevention of prostate cancer with nutrients and supplements

Abstract

Abstract:As the adult population is increasing, prostate cancer (PCa) will become a considerable health problem in the next millennium. This has raised public interest in potential chemoprevention of this disease. As PCa is extremely common and generally slow to progress it is regarded as an ideal candidate for chemoprevention. At present, the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride have been identified as preventive agents. This review describes whether selenium, alpha-tocopherol, isoflavones, lycopene green tea polyphenols, calcium, and resveratrol may be useful for decreasing the risk of PCa in men. Although encouraging results are present, some studies show negative results. Differences in study design, sample size, dose administered, and/or concentrations achieved in the body may be the reason for these inconsistencies. Today, chemopreventive agents may be appropriate for high-risk patients like those with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and other high-risk groups such as patients with elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) and negative biopsy, rapid PSA velocity, and with a family history of PCa. Although larger randomized controlled studies are needed and epidemiologic evidence should be placed in a clinical context, physicians must be aware of these preventive opportunities in PCa care. Combinations of chemopreventive agents should be carefully investigated because mechanisms of action may be additive or synergistic.

A randomized double‐blind placebo controlled phase I–II study on clinical and molecular effects of dietary supplements in men with precancerous prostatic lesions. Chemoprevention or “chemopromotion”?

“…Prostate cancer (PCa) has always been viewed as an ideal target for chemoprevention due to its long natural history and its high incidence . The influence of diet, race and environmental factors on PCa development is well documented by epidemiological studies .…”

Defective DNA repair systems and the development of breast and prostate cancer

“…The discovery of other molecular pathways would be helpful to further understand the fundamental mechanisms of hormone independence. Certain evidence supports the cancer-protective roles of dietary selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, lycopene and soy foods (62,63). Lycopene, which is a carotenoid found in tomatoes, appears to be an effective protective dietary factor for prostate cancer, and acts as an antioxidant by scavenging reactive oxygen species to protect against DNA damage.…”

Maintaining good miRNAs in the body keeps the doctor away?: Perspectives on the relationship between food‐derived natural products and microRNAs in relation to exosomes/extracellular vesicles

“…Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin present in grapevines, pines, peanuts, berries, and grapes . As red wine is made from grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) that are rich in resveratrol, resveratrol has been moved into the limelight with "the French paradox," which describes the association between the consumption of red wine and the relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease in French people despite a high dietary fat intake .…”