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Protein in Soy Traps Prostate Cancer
March 14, 2008 -- Dietary levels of genistein, a soy protein, stopped the spread of prostate cancer in mouse studies, Northwestern University researchers report.
Men who live in countries with high soy consumption are less likely to die of prostate cancer than are men in the U.S. and Europe. Genistein, a protein from soybeans, keeps prostate cancer cells from spreading in test-tube studies.
Now a study led by Raymond C. Bergen, MD, director of experimental therapeutics for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, shows that genistein fights human prostate cancers implanted in living animals.
The soy compound doesn't make prostate cancer go away. It doesn't even make prostate tumors smaller. But it does keep the cancer cells from spreading through the body. Like some other cancers, prostate cancer is not deadly unless it spreads through the body -- a process known as cancer metastasis.
"These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients," Bergen says in a news release. "Now we have all the preclinical studies we need to suggest genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug."
A 2003 human study showed that when men with prostate cancer took genistein preparations, their blood levels of genistein reached concentrations that had anticancer effects in the test tube. These are the same genistein blood levels that protected mice in the current study.
Bergan and colleagues note that a larger clinical trial of genistein is under way. Other researchers are studying the compound in patients with breast cancer, kidney cancer, endometrial cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma.
Bergan and colleagues report their findings in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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