title: The role of soy phytoestrogens in prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As alternative medicine gains popularity in the US, a greater understanding of the proven benefits and detriments of the supplements commonly used is needed by physicians. Chemoprevention through the use of supplements or dietary means is one example. Through epidemiological studies, it is clear that there is variation in the geographic incidence of certain cancers. One such variation is in prostate cancer, for which Asian men have a decreased death rate as compared with their Western counterparts. One hypothesis for this reduction in prostate cancer deaths is due to the difference in soy consumption. The purpose of this paper is to review the effects of soy at the molecular level as well as to review the in-vivo effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mechanism by which soy or, more accurately, the isoflavones act is described in this review. Multiple studies attempting to clarify the effects of the isoflavones on molecular pathways will be discussed. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrating the effect of isoflavones on prostate-specific antigen, testosterone, estrogen, and hormone receptor expression in human subjects will be reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After reading this review, we expect that the reader will understand the background of the isoflavones, the effect they exert at the molecular level, and their proposed benefits and limitations in human patients. However, what will be evident at the conclusion of this manuscript is the need for future studies of the effects of soy in prostate cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. jholzbeierlein@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Holzbeierlein
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: J Brantley
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Thrasher
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013025:Glycine max
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004742:daidzein; D019833:Genistein