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Tomato-based randomized controlled trial in prostate cancer patients: Effect on PSA
Ingvild Paur1, Wolfgang Lilleby2, Siv Kjølsrud Bøhn1
1Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1046, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
Background & Aims:
The effect of lycopene-containing foods in prostate cancer development remains undetermined. We tested whether a lycopene-rich tomato intervention could reduce the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer patients.
Methods:
Prior to their curative treatment, 79 patients with prostate cancer were randomized to a nutritional intervention with either 1) tomato products containing 30 mg lycopene per day; 2) tomato products plus selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, soy isoflavones, grape/pomegranate juice, and green/black tea (tomato-plus); or 3) control diet for 3 weeks.
Results:
The main analysis, which included patients in all risk categories, did not reveal differences in changes of PSA-values between the intervention and control groups. Post-hoc, exploratory analyses within intermediate risk (n = 41) patients based on tumor classification and Gleason score post-surgery, revealed that median PSA decreased significantly in the tomato group as compared to controls (-2.9% and +6.5% respectively, p = 0.016). In separate post-hoc analyses, we observed that median PSA-values decreased by 1% in patients with the highest increases in plasma lycopene, selenium and C20:5 n-3 fatty acid, compared to an 8.5% increase in the patients with the lowest increase in lycopene, selenium and C20:5 n-3 fatty acid (p = 0.003). Also, PSA decreased in patients with the highest increase in lycopene alone (p = 0.009).
Conclusions:
Three week nutritional interventions with tomato-products alone or in combination with selenium and n-3 fatty acids lower PSA in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer. Our observation suggests that the effect may depend on both aggressiveness of the disease and the blood levels of lycopene, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.
Insights
A three-week tomato intervention, rich in lycopene, may lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) in some prostate cancer patients. The effect appears dependent on disease aggressiveness and blood levels of lycopene, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The role of lycopene-rich foods in prostate cancer prevention and progression is not fully understood.
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a key biomarker for prostate cancer management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a lycopene-rich tomato intervention on PSA levels in prostate cancer patients.
- To explore potential correlations between intervention effectiveness, disease characteristics, and blood nutrient levels.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 79 prostate cancer patients prior to curative treatment.
- Intervention groups received daily tomato products (30 mg lycopene) or tomato products plus supplements (selenium, omega-3s, etc.) for three weeks.
- A control group received a standard diet.
Main Results:
- Overall analysis showed no significant PSA change between intervention and control groups.
- Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant PSA decrease in intermediate-risk patients receiving tomato products.
- Higher blood levels of lycopene, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids correlated with PSA reduction.
Conclusions:
- Tomato-based nutritional interventions can reduce PSA levels in non-metastatic prostate cancer patients.
- The efficacy of these interventions may be influenced by disease aggressiveness and individual nutrient absorption.
