Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Murine Prostate Micro-dissection and Surgical Castration
Published on: May 11, 2016
Dietary Tomato or Lycopene Do Not Reduce Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Progression in a Murine Model
Joe L Rowles1, Joshua W Smith1, Catherine C Applegate1
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Background:
Dietary tomato products or lycopene protect against prostate carcinogenesis, but their impact on the emergence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is unknown.
Objective:
We hypothesized that tomato or lycopene products would reduce the emergence of CRPC.
Methods:
Transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice were castrated at 12-13 wk and the emergence of CRPC was monitored by ultrasound in each study. In Study 1, TRAMP mice (n = 80) were weaned onto an AIN-93G-based control diet (Con-L, n = 28), a 10% tomato powder diet (TP-L, 10% lyophilized w/w, n = 26), or a control diet followed by a tomato powder diet after castration (TP-Int1, n = 26). In Study 2, TRAMP mice (n = 85) were randomized onto a control diet with placebo beadlets (Con-Int, n = 29), a tomato diet with placebo beadlets (TP-Int2, n = 29), or a control diet with lycopene beadlets (Lyc-Int, n = 27) following castration (aged 12 wk). Tumor incidence and growth were monitored by ultrasound beginning at an age of 10 wk. Mice were euthanized 4 wk after tumor detection or aged 30 wk if no tumor was detected. Tissue weights were compared by ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. Tumor volumes were compared using generalized linear mixed model regression.
Results:
Ultrasound estimates for the in vivo tumor volume were strongly correlated with tumor weight at necropsy (R2 = 0.75 and 0.94, P <0.001 for both Studies 1 and 2, respectively). Dietary treatments after castration did not significantly impact cancer incidence, time to tumor detection, or final tumor weight.
Conclusions:
In contrast to studies of de novo carcinogenesis in multiple preclinical models, tomato components had no significant impact on the emergence of CRPC in the TRAMP model. It is possible that specific mutant subclones of prostate cancer may continue to show some antiproliferative response to tomato components, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
Insights
Dietary tomato products and lycopene did not prevent castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in TRAMP mice. These findings contrast with earlier studies on prostate cancer prevention, suggesting a different mechanism for CRPC development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Preclinical Cancer Research
Background:
- Dietary tomato products and lycopene are known to protect against prostate carcinogenesis.
- The impact of these dietary components on the emergence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that tomato or lycopene products reduce the emergence of CRPC.
- To evaluate the efficacy of tomato and lycopene in preventing CRPC in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- Transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice were utilized.
- Mice were castrated and monitored for CRPC emergence using ultrasound.
- Dietary interventions included control, tomato powder, or lycopene beadlets post-castration.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound tumor volume estimates strongly correlated with necropsy tumor weight.
- Dietary treatments administered after castration did not significantly affect cancer incidence, time to tumor detection, or final tumor weight.
Conclusions:
- Tomato components did not significantly impact the emergence of CRPC in the TRAMP model.
- This contrasts with findings in de novo prostate carcinogenesis studies.
- Further research is needed to explore potential effects on specific mutant subclones.
