Abstract PL02-02: Tomatoes, lycopene, and prostate cancer

Abstract

Abstract In 1995, the first large prospective cohort data emerged from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) demonstrating a protective association between the intake of tomatoes and processed tomato products and a lower risk of prostate cancer (PCa). By utilizing data-bases of food content of carotenoids it has been possible to demonstrate similar associations between the estimated intake of lycopene (LYC), the non-provitamin A carotenoid providing the familiar red color of tomatoes, and PCa risk. With an additional two decades of monitoring the associations originally identified in the HPFS remain consistent in the 2014 update, while other epidemiologic studies are less convincing. LYC and other carotenoids were documented in human prostate tissue supporting the hypothesis of a direct effect on prostate carcinogenesis. Studies employing various laboratory models from multiple investigators show that tomato components or pure LYC have a protective impact on experimental prostate carcinogenesis. Although an antioxidant mechanism is frequently imputed based upon the known capacity of LYC to quench reactive oxygen species, other potential mechanisms of action related to hormonal activity, cell signaling and growth control, angiogenesis, and metastasis have emerged. Yet, proof of a protective relationship remains elusive and there are many obstacles to defining the impact of specific plant derived phytochemicals for human prostate cancer risk. The importance of dose-response, host genetics, and the complexity of human prostate cancer are but a few of the challenges faced in establishing a causal relationship. The examination of a tomato, lycopene, and prostate cancer relationship provides an example for considering how we as a discipline will address the challenges of defining food or phytochemical based interventions for cancer risk. Citation Format: Steven K. Clinton. Tomatoes, lycopene, and prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr PL02-02.