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Published on: March 6, 2018
Relationship between plasma carotenoids and prostate cancer
Shine Chang1, John W Erdman, Steven K Clinton
1Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. shinechang@MDAnderson.org
Nutrition and Cancer
|April 1, 2006
Summary
Higher levels of certain carotenoids, like alpha-carotene and lutein, may reduce prostate cancer risk. However, these specific carotenoids did not appear to influence disease progression in the studied population.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Carotenoid Research
Background:
- Carotenoids, such as lycopene, are investigated for their potential role in reducing prostate cancer risk.
- The association between plasma carotenoid levels and prostate cancer risk requires further characterization across diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma carotenoid concentrations and prostate cancer risk.
- To examine if specific carotenoids are associated with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer or disease progression.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted comparing 118 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer and 52 healthy men.
- Plasma levels of various carotenoids, including lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha- and trans-beta-carotene, and lutein/zeaxanthin, were measured.
- Statistical analyses evaluated associations between carotenoid levels and prostate cancer risk, including disease aggressiveness.
Main Results:
- High plasma levels of alpha-carotene, trans-beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin were associated with less than half the risk of prostate cancer.
- No significant associations were found for total lycopenes, all-trans-lycopene, and specific cis-lycopene isomers (2, 3, 5).
- High levels of cis-lycopene isomer 1 showed an inverse association with risk, while no carotenoid levels correlated with the risk of aggressive disease.
Conclusions:
- Elevated circulating levels of alpha-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, trans-beta-carotene, and lutein/zeaxanthin may contribute to a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.
- These carotenoids do not appear to influence prostate cancer progression or the risk of developing aggressive disease in this cohort.
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