Dietary Lycopene Associated With Lower Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer

J. Natl. Cancer Inst 2014 Feb 01;106(2)djt430, K Zu, L Mucci, BA Rosner, SK Clinton, M Loda, MJ Stampfer, E Giovannucci
Research · February 19, 2014

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  • This epidemiologic study investigated the association between dietary lycopene intake (found in tomato, tomato-based products, pink grapefruit, and watermelon) and prostate cancer. When comparing subjects in the highest vs lowest quintiles, higher lycopene intake was associated with lower overall incidence of prostate cancer (HR, 0.91) and of lethal prostate cancer (HR, 0.72).
  • Correlative biologic studies suggest this may be due to antiangiogenic properties.

ABSTRACT

 

BACKGROUND

The role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention remains controversial. We examined the associations between dietary lycopene intake and prostate cancer, paying particular attention to the influence of prostate-specific antigen screening, and evaluated tissue biomarkers in prostate cancers in relation to lycopene intake.

METHODS

Among 49898 male health professionals, we obtained dietary information through questionnaires and ascertained total and lethal prostate cancer cases from 1986 through January 31, 2010. Cox regression was used to estimate multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry were used to assess tumor biomarker expression in a subset of men. Two-sided χ(2) tests were used to calculate the P values.

RESULTS

Higher lycopene intake was inversely associated with total prostate cancer and more strongly with lethal prostate cancer (top vs bottom quintile: HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.94; P trend = .04). In a restricted population of screened participants, the inverse associations became markedly stronger (for lethal prostate cancer: HR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.29 to 0.75; P trend = .009). Comparing different measures of dietary lycopene, early intake, but not recent intake, was inversely associated with prostate cancer. Higher lycopene intake was associated with biomarkers in the cancer indicative of less angiogenic potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary intake of lycopene was associated with reduced risk of lethal prostate cancer and with a lesser degree of angiogenesis in the tumor. Because angiogenesis is a strong progression factor, an endpoint of lethal prostate cancer may be more relevant than an endpoint of indolent prostate cancer for lycopene in the era of highly prevalent prostate-specific antigen screening.

 


Journal of the National Cancer Institute.Dietary Lycopene, Angiogenesis, and Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Study in the Prostate-Specific Antigen Era

J. Natl. Cancer Inst 2014 Feb 01;106(2)djt430, K Zu, L Mucci, BA Rosner, SK Clinton, M Loda, MJ Stampfer, E Giovannucci

Full Story
Journal Reference

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