Positive Health Online

Abstract

KLEIN, Section of Urologic Oncology, Urologic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Desk A100, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH44195, USA, has reviewed (42 references) clinical models for testing chemoprevention in prostate cancer, with special reference to the selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial (SELECT). Abstract: Populations included in chemoprevention trials should include those at higher than average risk for the development of prostate cancer. Such populations include a 'primary prevention' group without clinical or histological evidence of cancer, and 'secondary prevention' groups including those with clinically evident disease as well as those at high risk of recurrence after therapy. Each group has potential advantages and disadvantages, and the mechanisms underlying disease development and progression may be different in each group. Thus, many potential clinical trials of specific agents are possible. Such trials should also include collection of data on potentially confounding influences. Preclinical, epidemiological, and Phase II data suggest that both selenium and vitamin E have potential efficacy in prostate cancer prevention. SELECT, the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, is an intergroup phase III, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, population-based clinical trial designed to test the efficacy of selenium and vitamin E alone and in combination in the prevention of prostate cancer. It builds on the secondary analysis of other large-scale chemoprevention trials.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Klein EA. Clinical models for testing chemopreventative agents in prostate cancer and overview of SELECT: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial. Recent Results in Cancer Research 163: 212-225, 2003.