Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Phase II prospective randomized trial of weight loss prior to radical prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 21, pages 212–220 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Obesity is associated with poorly differentiated and advanced prostate cancer and increased mortality. In preclinical models, caloric restriction delays prostate cancer progression and prolongs survival. We sought to determine if weight loss (WL) in men with prostate cancer prior to radical prostatectomy affects tumor apoptosis and proliferation, and if WL effects other metabolic biomarkers.

Methods

In this Phase II prospective trial, overweight and obese men scheduled for radical prostatectomy were randomized to a 5–8 week WL program consisting of standard structured energy-restricted meal plans (1200–1500 Kcal/day) and physical activity or to a control group. The primary endpoint was apoptotic index in the radical prostatectomy malignant epithelium. Secondary endpoints were proliferation (Ki67) in the radical prostatectomy tissue, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, body composition, and serum PSA, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, testosterone, estradiol, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, insulin-like growth factor 1, and IGF binding protein 1.

Results

In total 23 patients were randomized to the WL intervention and 21 patients to the control group. Subjects in the intervention group had significantly more weight loss (WL:−3.7 ± 0.5 kg; Control:−1.6 ± 0.5 kg; p = 0.007) than the control group and total fat mass was significantly reduced (WL:−2.1 ± 0.4; Control: 0.1 ± 0.3; p = 0.015). There was no significant difference in apoptotic or proliferation index between the groups. Among the other biomarkers, triglyceride, and insulin levels were significantly decreased in the WL compared with the control group.

Conclusions

In summary, this short-term WL program prior to radical prostatectomy resulted in significantly more WL in the intervention vs. the control group and was accompanied by significant reductions in body fat mass, circulating triglycerides, and insulin. However, no significant changes were observed in malignant epithelium apoptosis or proliferation. Future studies should consider a longer term or more intensive weight loss intervention.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Moller H, Roswall N, Van Hemelrijck M, Larsen SB, Cuzick J, Holmberg L, et al. Prostate cancer incidence, clinical stage and survival in relation to obesity: a prospective cohort study in Denmark. Int J Cancer. 2015;136:1940–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Haque R, Van Den Eeden SK, Wallner LP, Richert-Boe K, Kallakury B, Wang R, et al. Association of body mass index and prostate cancer mortality. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2014;8:e374–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Goris Gbenou MC, Peltier A, Schulman CC, Velthoven R. Increased body mass index as a risk factor in localized prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy. Urol Oncol. 2016;34:254 e1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Allott EH, Masko EM, Freedland SJ. Obesity and prostate cancer: weighing the evidence. Eur Urol. 2013;63:800–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Platz EA, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Risk factors for prostate cancer incidence and progression in the health professionals follow-up study. Int J Cancer. 2007;121:1571–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Rodriguez C, Freedland SJ, Deka A, Jacobs EJ, McCullough ML, Patel AV, et al. Body mass index, weight change, and risk of prostate cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16:63–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Stocks T, Hergens MP, Englund A, Ye W, Stattin P. Blood pressure, body size and prostate cancer risk in the Swedish construction workers cohort. Int J Cancer. 2010;127:1660–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bonn SE, Wiklund F, Sjolander A, Szulkin R, Stattin P, Holmberg E, et al. Body mass index and weight change in men with prostate cancer: progression and mortality. Cancer Causes Control. 2014;25:933–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Roberts DL, Dive C, Renehan AG. Biological mechanisms linking obesity and cancer risk: new perspectives. Annu Rev Med. 2010;61:301–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ho E, Boileau TW, Bray TM. Dietary influences on endocrine-inflammatory interactions in prostate cancer development. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2004;428:109–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Saglam K, Aydur E, Yilmaz M, Goktas S. Leptin influences cellular differentiation and progression in prostate cancer. J Urol. 2003;169:1308–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Trayhurn P, Wood IS. Adipokines: inflammation and the pleiotropic role of white adipose tissue. Br J Nutr. 2004;92:347–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hsing AW, Deng J, Sesterhenn IA, Mostofi FK, Stanczyk FZ, Benichou J, et al. Body size and prostate cancer: a population-based case-control study in China. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2000;9:1335–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Moran Pascual E, Martinez Sarmiento M, Budia Alba A, Broseta Rico E, Camara Gomez R, Boronat Tormo F. Central body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedanciometry but not body mass index is a high-grade prostate cancer risk factor. Urol Int. 2016;98:28–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bhindi B, Trottier G, Elharram M, Fernandes KA, Lockwood G, Toi A, et al. Measurement of peri-prostatic fat thickness using transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS): a new risk factor for prostate cancer. BJU Int. 2012;110:980–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Tan WP, Lin C, Chen M, Deane LA. Periprostatic fat: a risk factor for prostate cancer? Urology. 2016;98:107–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Woo S, Cho JY, Kim SY, Kim SH. Periprostatic fat thickness on MRI: correlation with Gleason score in prostate cancer. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015;204:W43–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kobayashi N, Barnard RJ, Said J, Hong-Gonzalez J, Corman DM, Ku M, et al. Effect of low-fat diet on development of prostate cancer and Akt phosphorylation in the Hi-Myc transgenic mouse model. Cancer Res. 2008;68:3066–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Mukherjee P, Sotnikov AV, Mangian HJ, Zhou JR, Visek WJ, Clinton SK. Energy intake and prostate tumor growth, angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999;91:512–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Buschemeyer WC 3rd, Klink JC, Mavropoulos JC, Poulton SH, Demark-Wahnefried W, Hursting SD, et al. Effect of intermittent fasting with or without caloric restriction on prostate cancer growth and survival in SCID mice. Prostate. 2010 ;70:1037–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Cho HJ, Kwon GT, Park H, Song H, Lee KW, Kim JI, et al. A high-fat diet containing lard accelerates prostate cancer progression and reduces survival rate in mice: possible contribution of adipose tissue-derived cytokines. Nutrients. 2015;7:2539–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Liss MA, Schenk JM, Faino AV, Newcomb LF, Boyer H, Brooks JD, et al. A diagnosis of prostate cancer and pursuit of active surveillance is not followed by weight loss: potential for a teachable moment. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2016;19:390–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bravata DM, Smith-Spangler C, Sundaram V, Gienger AL, Lin N, Lewis R, et al. Using pedometers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review. J Am Med Assoc. 2007;298:2296–304.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Muzumdar RH, Ma X, Fishman S, Yang X, Atzmon G, Vuguin P, et al. Central and opposing effects of IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 on systemic insulin action. Diabetes. 2006;55:2788–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kobayashi N, Barnard RJ, Henning SM, Elashoff D, Reddy ST, Cohen P, et al. Effect of altering dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratios on prostate cancer membrane composition, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2. Clin Cancer Res. 2006;12:4662–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Ong CW, Kim LG, Kong HH, Low LY, Wang TT, Supriya S, et al. Computer-assisted pathological immunohistochemistry scoring is more time-effective than conventional scoring, but provides no analytical advantage. Histopathology. 2010;56:523–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kim HS, Bowen P, Chen L, Duncan C, Ghosh L, Sharifi R, et al. Effects of tomato sauce consumption on apoptotic cell death in prostate benign hyperplasia and carcinoma. Nutr Cancer. 2003;47:40–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Goodwin PJ, Chlebowski RT. Obesity and cancer: insights for clinicians. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34:4197–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Iyengar NM, Gucalp A, Dannenberg AJ, Hudis CA. Obesity and cancer mechanisms: tumor microenvironment and inflammation. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34:4270–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ngo TH, Barnard RJ, Tymchuk CN, Cohen P, Aronson WJ. Effect of diet and exercise on serum insulin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-1 levels and growth of LNCaP cells in vitro (United States). Cancer Causes Control. 2002;13:929–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Lin DW, Neuhouser ML, Schenk JM, Coleman IM, Hawley S, Gifford D, et al. Low-fat, low-glycemic load diet and gene expression in human prostate epithelium: a feasibility study of using cDNA microarrays to assess the response to dietary intervention in target tissues. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16:2150–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Wright JL, Plymate S, D’Oria-Cameron A, Bain C, Haugk K, Xiao L, et al. A study of caloric restriction versus standard diet in overweight men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Prostate. 2013;73:1345–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Heymach JV, Shackleford TJ, Tran HT, Yoo SY, Do KA, Wergin M, et al. Effect of low-fat diets on plasma levels of NF-kappaB-regulated inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors in men with prostate cancer. Cancer Prev Res. 2011;4:1590–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Fabian CJ, Kimler BF, Donnelly JE, Sullivan DK, Klemp JR, Petroff BK, et al. Favorable modulation of benign breast tissue and serum risk biomarkers is associated with >10 % weight loss in postmenopausal women. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013;142:119–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Demark-Wahnefried W, Nix JW, Hunter GR, Rais-Bahrami S, Desmond RA, Chacko B, et al. Feasibility outcomes of a presurgical randomized controlled trial exploring the impact of caloric restriction and increased physical activity versus a wait-list control on tumor characteristics and circulating biomarkers in men electing prostatectomy for prostate cancer. BMC Cancer. 2016;16:61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Fruge AD, Ptacek T, Tsuruta Y, Morrow CD, Azrad M, Desmond RA, et al. Dietary changes impact the gut microbe composition in overweight and obese men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016. [Epub ahead of print].

  37. Mistry T, Digby JE, Desai KM, Randeva HS. Obesity and prostate cancer: a role for adipokines. Eur Urol. 2007;52:46–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Berger NA. Obesity and cancer pathogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014;1311:57–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Heidegger I, Massoner P, Sampson N, Klocker H. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis as an anticancer target in prostate cancer. Cancer Lett. 2015;367:113–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Li Z, Aronson WJ, Arteaga JR, Hong K, Thames G, Henning SM, et al. Feasibility of a low-fat/high-fiber diet intervention with soy supplementation in prostate cancer patients after prostatectomy. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008;62:526–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ma HQ, Cui LH, Li CC, Yu Z, Piao JM. Effects of serum triglycerides on prostate cancer and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Nutr Cancer. 2016;68:1073–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Waters L, George AS, Chey T, Bauman A. Weight change in control group participants in behavioural weight loss interventions: a systematic review and meta-regression study. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2012;12:120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Smith MR. Changes in fat and lean body mass during androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Urology. 2004;63:742–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. O’Neill RF, Haseen F, Murray LJ, O’Sullivan JM, Cantwell MM. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month dietary and physical activity intervention for patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. J Cancer Surviv. 2015;9:431–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Demark-Wahnefried W, Polascik TJ, George SL, Switzer BR, Madden JF, Ruffin MT, et al. Flaxseed supplementation (not dietary fat restriction) reduces prostate cancer proliferation rates in men presurgery. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008;17:3577–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

National Institute of Health P50CA92131 (WJA); Merit Review Award from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. Statistical analyses were supported by NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) UCLA CTSI Grant Number UL1TR001881 (TG/DE).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1738, USA

    Susanne M Henning, Colette Galet, Kiran Gollapudi, Joshua B. Byrd, Pei Liang & William J. Aronson

  2. Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024-2703, USA

    Zhaoping Li

  3. Statistics Core, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1738, USA

    Tristan Grogan & David Elashoff

  4. Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1738, USA

    Clara E. Magyar & Jonathan Said

  5. USC Davis School of Gerontology, Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 90089-0191, CA, USA

    Pinchas Cohen

  6. VA Medical Center Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Whilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90073-1003, CA, USA

    William J. Aronson

Authors
  1. Susanne M Henning
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Colette Galet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kiran Gollapudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Joshua B. Byrd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pei Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhaoping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tristan Grogan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. David Elashoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Clara E. Magyar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jonathan Said
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Pinchas Cohen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. William J. Aronson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William J. Aronson.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Henning, S.M., Galet, C., Gollapudi, K. et al. Phase II prospective randomized trial of weight loss prior to radical prostatectomy. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 21, 212–220 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-017-0001-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-017-0001-1

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links