Lycopene as a chemopreventive agent in the treatment of high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
Because of its long latency, slow growing nature, and high prevalence, prostate cancer is the best model for chemoprevention. High-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is a precursor of prostate cancer. Chemoprevention with lycopene has shown definite results in prostate cancer. We undertook a study to use lycopene as a chemopreventive agent in the treatment of HGPIN for preventing prostate cancer from developing in this vulnerable group of patients.


METHODS
A total of 40 patients with HGPIN were randomized into 2 groups: one received 4 mg lycopene twice a day for one year, and the other was periodically followed up. Total follow-up was one year.


RESULTS
Our results show that lycopene can delay or prevent HGPIN from developing into occult prostate cancer, and there exists an inverse relationship between lycopene and prostate-specific antigen. Being a vegetable carotenoid, lycopene is a safe drug to be used for a longer period without any adverse reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Lycopene is an effective chemopreventive agent in the treatment of HGPIN, with no toxicity and good patient tolerance.
Mohanty
Nayan Kumar
NK
Department of Urology, V.M. Medical College & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India. nayankm@yahoo.co.in
Saxena
Sunita
S
Singh
Uday Pratap
UP
Goyal
Neeraj K
NK
Arora
Rajender Prakash
RP
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D002338:Carotenoids; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D000077276:Lycopene