It's always good to get affirmation of what we already know. Unfortunately,
it didn't keep me from getting PCa.

Thanks,
Larry

Lycopene slows human prostate tumour growth in mice, adding vitamin E is
even better
30 Sep 2004
Geneva, Switzerland - A study by Dutch and German researchers has
provided evidence that lycopene may be able to inhibit the growth of
prostate tumours and that its effect may be enhanced if it is combined
with vitamin E.
A number of epidemiological studies have already indicated that high
intake of lycopene - a carotinoid that gives the red colour to tomatoes
and other fruits - is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
But, these observational findings have now been underpinned by new
research demonstrating a beneficial effect in human prostate tumours
grown in mice. A Phase II study testing the compounds in cancer patients
is now under way.
The findings of the animal study are being reported by Dutch research
scientist Dr. Jacqueline Limpens at the EORTC-NCI-AACR[1] Symposium on
Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Geneva.
The study involved testing one low and one high dose of synthetic
lycopene alone, one low and one high dose of synthetic vitamin E alone
and a combination of low dose synthetic lycopene and vitamin E or a
placebo. The researchers injected human tumour cells into the prostate
of mice to see what effect the lycopene and vitamin supplements would
have on the tumour growth and PSA (prostate specific antigen)[2] and to
compare any effects against the placebo.
Dr. Limpens, who is from the Department of Urology at the Josephine
Nefkins Institute at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, said: "We
found that low dose lycopene suppressed the growth of the human prostate
tumours by over half (at day 42 of the study), extending the tumour
doubling time accordingly, while all other single treatments had no
significant effect. However, the combination of low-dose lycopene and
vitamin E produced the greatest tumour inhibition - 73% (at day 42).
Importantly, we also saw that the doubling time of PSA values matched
the tumour responses in all the experimental groups. This means that we
can use PSA values as a surrogate marker in short phase II/III human
trials as it is clear that PSA values are accurately reflecting the
inhibiting activity of the lycopene and vitamin E on tumour growth.
"What was particularly marked was that it was the low dose of both
lycopene and vitamin E that was the most effective, demonstrating that
'more does not necessarily equal better'. Many pharmacological agents
and natural compounds follow a bell-shaped dose response curve, which
means that very low or high doses may not work and that there is an
optimal dose between the two extremes."
The study showed that the lycopene and vitamin E were effectively taken
up in the mice prostates in the same form as they are in humans, said
Dr. Limpens.
Dr. Limpens said the findings seem promising, but it was early days yet
and the Phase II trial in Germany was designed to verify whether a
similar treatment to that used in the mice could alter the course of
minimal clinical disease in patients. The lycopene product used
(LycoVit?)[3], has received the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
status from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can
be used to fortify foods.
It was too early, said Dr. Limpens, to say whether lycopene and vitamin
E could ever be used to prevent prostate cancer in healthy individuals.
The first step was to see the results from the studies on men with
prostate cancer: changes may, for example, be necessary to optimise the
treatment. And before any preventative trials could even be considered
it would be essential to verify the compound's potential to really
prevent the development of cancer in a mouse model.
"However, our data fit in with the general picture that lycopene and
vitamin E may have chemopreventative effects on prostate cancer.
Therefore we would certainly recommend that all men regularly eat
lycopene and vitamin E-rich foods: for example, all kinds of processed
tomato products, papayas, pink grapefruit and watermelon, wheat germs,
whole grains, mangoes, leafy green vegetables, nuts and olive oils. Of
course, this needs to be part of an all-round healthy lifestyle and diet
with plenty of vegetables and other healthy foods. Regular consumption
of supplements and fortified foods may help to obtain adequate amounts
of lycopene and vitamin E, which may otherwise be difficult to obtain
while maintaining a balanced diet."

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."