Strategies for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer

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Reprint European Urology 1999, Vol. 35, No. 5-6 Prostate cancer is a prime target for chemoprevention studies because of its long latency, high incidence and known risk factors; furthermore, hormonal dependency and precursor lesions are well documented. To identify suitable populations for evaluation of potential chemopreventive agents and for future chemopreventive intervention, risk factors (such as the presence of early premalignant lesions and genetic predisposition) should be well characterized. Therefore, identification and characterization of intermediate biomarkers and their validation as surrogate endpoints for cancer incidence in clinical chemoprevention trials are significant components in the development of chemopreventive agents. Promising chemopreventive drugs of the prostate include retinoids, antiandrogens, antioestrogens, steroid aromatase inhibitors, 5a-reductase inhibitors, vitamins D and E, selenium, lycopene and 2-difluoromethylomithine. As a new concept in prostate cancer, chemoprevention should have a significant impact in the future on the incidence and mortality of this leading cancer threat in men.