Lycopene inhibits DNA synthesis in primary prostate epithelial cells in vitro and its administration is associated with a reduced prostate-specific antigen velocity in a phase II clinical study.
Interest in lycopene has focused primarily on its use in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer (CaP); there are few clinical trials involving men with established disease. In addition, most data examining its mechanism of action have been obtained from experiments using immortal cell lines. We report the inhibitory effect(s) of lycopene in primary prostate epithelial cell (PEC) cultures, and the results of a pilot phase II clinical study investigating whole-tomato lycopene supplementation on the behavior of established CaP, demonstrating a significant and maintained effect on prostate-specific antigen velocity over 1 year. These data reinforce the justification for a large, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Barber
N J
NJ
Department of Urology, Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, UK. Neil.barber@fph-tr.nhs.uk
Zhang
X
X
Zhu
G
G
Pramanik
R
R
Barber
J A
JA
Martin
F L
FL
Morris
J D H
JD
Muir
G H
GH
D000368:Aged; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D002338:Carotenoids; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D000077276:Lycopene