Prevention, complementary therapies, and new scientific developments in the field of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer prevention and therapies were reviewed in a recent update. Finasteride, a 5alpha reductase inhibitor, shows promise as a preventative; however, it may increase the incidence of high-grade cancer. There are ongoing studies regarding the positive effects of antioxidant therapy (vitamin E, selenium, and lycopene) on the prevention of prostate cancer; initial results are promising. Lipid-lowering drugs are associated with a statistically significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence, a 46% reduction in risk of high-grade or high-stage prostate cancer, and a 66% reduction in mortality from prostate cancer. Overexpression of transcription factors is caused by translocation of the promoter of the TMPRSS2 gene, which may be a primary event in prostate cancer. Immunomic profiling with use of autoantibodies directed against prostate-specific antigens may be used to identify cases of prostate cancer.