Chemoprevention of carcinoma prostate: a review.
OBJECTIVE
Chemoprevention of prostate cancer is the administration of agents to prevent, inhibit, or delay progression of prostate cancer. Opportunities exist for testing various types of chemopreventive interventsion.


METHODS
The authors reviewed the relevant articles published in the last twenty years and studied the biology of the prostate cancer. An attempt is made to identify intermediate markers and surrogate endpoint markers. The various interventions and initial clinical trial results are described. End points for evaluation are mainly based on changes in PSA, changes of histological precursors, or time of onset of clinical disease.


RESULTS
Nutritional factors such as reduced fat intake, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, Lycopene and selenium may have a protective effect against prostate cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous studies implicate dietary and nutritional factors in the onset and progression of prostate cancer. Hence, it is possible that bioactive compounds (anti-oxidants) like vits. A, C, D, E, minerals like selenium and carotenoids like lycopene can be a part of chemopreventive strategies for prostate cancer. Ongoing studies on nutrition and prostate cancer may bring the required evidence to support what is still only a hypothesis at present. However, absolute recommendation will have to await the results of long term prospective clinical trials.
Ansari
M S
MS
Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India. ansarimsa@hotmail.com
Gupta
N P
NP
Hemal
A K
AK
D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal