Chemoprevention of carcinoma prostate: a review

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.

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.

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.

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.