First Clinical Intervention Trial
Finds Benefit From Nutrient Found in Tomatoes:
Lycopene May Inhibit Cancerous Growths
in Prostate Cancer PatientsNEW YORK, Oct. 3 - In the first clinical intervention trial of prostate cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo surgery, researchers found that lycopene supplementation may decelerate the progression of cancerous growths. The study results were published in the August issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.(1)
STUDY FINDINGS:
The randomized clinical trial followed 26 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer who were scheduled for radical prostatectomy. The men were divided into two groups: a control group, who did not receive any supplementation and an intervention group which received 15 mg of lycopene supplements twice a day for three weeks. The spread of the cancer was reduced 73% in the patients given the lycopene supplements, compared to 18% of the controls. In addition to decreased prostate cancer growth, patients in the supplement group also had reduced PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. Elevated PSA levels are one of the first warning signs of prostate cancer.
Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomato and tomato-based products, is found in several organs in the body. For men, lycopene levels are highest in the prostate gland. The study led by Omer Kucuk, M.D. of Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute was the first intervention trial involving lycopene supplements.
Numerous epidemiological studies including three-large scale epidemiological studies (the Seventh Day Adventist Study, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Physicians Health Study), have associated high intakes of lycopene and/or lycopene rich foods with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Risk reduction in these studies ranged from 35 to 50 percent.(2)(3)(4) In the Health Professionals Follow-up, the intake levels associated with the highest protection from prostate cancer were 10 or more servings of tomatoes and tomato-based products per week, or 6.5 mg of lycopene per day.
A recent epidemiological study on lycopene and prostate cancer published in the July issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that men who had the highest levels of lycopene in their blood had an 83% reduced risk of prostate cancer.(5)
RELATED INFORMATION:
A recent analysis of the USDA's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes of Individuals (CSFII) showed an average lycopene intake of 10.9 mg per day.(6) The data also showed that half the population is getting 3.6 mg or less per day.(7)
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in US males. In America, 550 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer today and by day's end, 86 men will have died from this disease.
To view the abstract of this study: http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/10/8/861
(1) Kucuk O, et al. Phase II randomized clinical trial of lycopene supplementation before radical prostatectomy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 10(8):861-868, August 2001.
(2) Mills PK, et al. Cohort study of diet, lifestyle and prostate cancer in Adventist men. Cancer. 64:598-604, August 1, 1989.
(3) Giovannucci E, et al. Intake of carotenoids and retinal in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Canc Inst. 87:1767-1776, December 6, 1995.
(4) Gann PH, et al. Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene levels: results of a prospective analysis. Canc Res. 59:1225-1230, March 15, 1999.
(5) Lu QY, et al. Inverse associations between plasma lycopene and other carotenoids and prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 10(7):749-756, July 2001.
(6) Rachman NJ and Watters JL. Current and proposed dietary intake of lycopene in the US. Unpublished report by Novigen Sciences, Inc., 1999.
(7) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. CSFII 1994-96. Food Surveys Research Group Home Page.
http://www.sun.arsrin.gov/ars/Beltsville/barc/bhnrc/foodsurvey/home.
This information is provided by the Vitamin Nutrition Information Service (VNIS). The VNIS was founded by Roche Vitamins Inc. in 1979 as a source of accurate and credible vitamin information for health professionals, educators and communicators. The VNIS monitors and disseminates vitamin research, sponsors professional symposia on current vitamin topics and generates materials to educate professionals about the roles of vitamins in health.
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