Lycopene prostate cancer

Fifty-four patients with metastatic prostate cancer (M1b or D2) were randomly assigned to receive orchiectomy alone (control group) or orchiectomy plus lycopene, 2 mg twice a day. After six months the mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 65% lower in the lycopene group than in the control group (9.1 vs. 26.4 ng/ml; difference not significant). After two years the respective PSA levels were 3.0 and 9.0 ng/ml (p < 0.001 for difference between groups). Eleven patients in control group (40%) and 21 in the lycopene group (78%) had a complete PSA response (p < 0.05), with progression in 7 (25%) and 2 (7%), respectively (p < 0.05). Bone scans showed a complete response in four patients in the control group (15%), compared with eight (30%) in the lycopene group (p < 0.02). The mortality rate was 22% in the control group and 13% in the lycopene group (p < 0.001).

Comment: These results indicate that adding lycopene to orchiectomy produced a greater decrease in serum PSA levels, a higher rate of complete responses, and higher survival rates, compared with orchiectomy alone, in men with advanced prostate cancer. Other preliminary studies have suggested that lycopene given by itself has anti-cancer activity in men in the earlier stages of prostate cancer. In addition, epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of tomato products (the main dietary source of lycopene) is associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene is commercially available both as a synthetic product and as an extract from tomatoes. The latter preparation contains, in addition to lycopene, other carotenoids and phytochemicals that may have beneficial effects. Supplementing with tomato extracts or eating tomato products may, therefore, be more effective than taking synthetic lycopene, although direct comparisons have not yet been made.

Ansari MS, Gupta NP. A comparison of lycopene and orchidectomy vs orchidectomy alone in the management of advanced prostate cancer. BJU Int 2003;92:375-378.