Chemoprevention of prostate cancer

Chemoprevention of prostate cancer is the administration of agents to preve nt, inhibit, or delay progression of prostate cancer. Asian men have a much lower incidence of prostate cancer than men in Europe or the USA. Asian fo od includes low-fat, high-fiber diets, which provide a rich supply of weak dietary estrogens. These estrogens have been proposed as chemopreventive ag ents. In addition to their estrogenic activity, many of these plant compoun ds can interfere with steroid metabolism and bioavailability and can also i nhibit enzymes, such as tyrosine kinase or topoisomerase, which are importa nt for cellular proliferation. In addition, nutritional factors such as red uced fat intake, vitamin E,vitamin D, and selenium may have a protective ef fect against prostate cancer. The fact was proven in large epidemiological studies as well as experimental observations. In the animal model,the progr ession of established tumors can be inhibited by these agents. A number of studies to investigate the effect of possible chemopreventive a gents for men at high risk of prostate cancer are established. End points f or evaluation are mainly based on changes in PSA, changes of histological p recursors, or time of onset of clinical disease. The concept of chemopreven tion in prostate cancer might have a significant impact on the incidence an d mortality of this disease.