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Research: MONDUL and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 205
Abstract
MONDUL and COLLEAGUES, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, USA. mondulam@mail.nih.gov
Background
Greater exposure to retinol (vitamin A) may prevent prostate cancer, although under some conditions it could promote cell growth and de-differentiation.
Methodology
The authors prospectively examined prostate cancer risk and serum retinol levels, measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography, at baseline (n = 29,104) and after 3 years (n = 22,843) in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study cohort. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the relative risk of total (n = 2,041) and aggressive (n = 461) prostate cancer by quintiles of baseline and 3-year serum retinol concentrations and by change in serum retinol levels from baseline to 3 years.
Results
Men with higher retinol concentrations at baseline were more likely to develop prostate cancer (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1 hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.36; P(trend) = 0.009). The results were similar for aggressive disease. Joint categorization based on baseline and 3-year retinol levels showed that men who were in the highest quintile at both time points had the greatest increased risk (baseline/3-year quintile 5/quintile 5 vs. quintile 1/quintile 1 hazard ratio = 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 1.59).
Conclusion
In this largest study to date of vitamin A status and subsequent risk of prostate cancer, higher serum retinol was associated with elevated risk, with sustained high exposure conferring the greatest risk. Future studies may clarify the underlying biologic mechanisms of the retinol-prostate cancer association.
References
Mondul AM, Watters JL, Mannisto S, Weinstein SJ, Snyder K, Virtamo J and Albanes D. Serum retinol and risk of prostate cancer. Source American Journal of Epidemiology. 173(7):813-21, 2011 Apr 1. Other ID Source: NLM. PMC3105279 [Available on 04/01/12]
Comment
Other research has demonstrated an inverse association between retinol levels and prostate cancer, therefore further studies are imperative in order to ascertain the exact status and mechanism.
