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.

  • Review
  • Published:

Lycopene and prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 5, pages 6–12 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The role of diet and dietary supplements in the development and progression of prostate cancer represents an increasingly frequent topic of discussion in the urologist's office. As access to information becomes forever easier, patients are more aware and educated about this subject than ever before. The role of antioxidants including carotenoids in all this has been the subject of great interest for some time. Lycopene, the carotenoid that gives tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables their red colour, has been of particular interest recently as regards its role in prostate cancer. The aim of this review is to briefly outline the biology and chemistry of lycopene, the scientific basis for its proposed anticancer properties and evaluate what conclusions the practicing urologist may draw from the data thus far. The media and industry have raced to encourage not only diets high in lycopene but also dietary lycopene supplements but there is probably only sufficient evidence to recommend to patients a diet rich in all vegetables and fruits of which tomatoes and tomato based products should certainly be a part.

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

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Willet WC. . Specific fatty acids and risks of breast and prostate cancer: dietary intake. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 66: 1557–1563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Giovannucci E. . Epidemiologic characteristics of prostate cancer. Cancer 1995 75: 1766–1777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Haenszel W, Kurihara M. . Studies of Japanese migrants. Mortality from cancer and other diseases among Japanese in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst 1968 40: 43–68.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Staszewski W, Haenszel W. . Cancer mortality among Polish-born in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst 1965 35: 291–297.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Giovannucci E et al. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995 87: 1767–1776.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Stahl W, Sies H. . Uptake of lycopene and its geometrical isomers is greater from heat processed than unprocessed tomato juice in humans. J Nutr 1992 122: 265–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Parker RS. . Absorption, metabolism and transport of carotenoids. FASEB J 1996 10: 542–551.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Krinsky NI, Cornwell GD, Oncley JL. . The transport of vitamin A and carotenoids in human plasma. Arch Biochem Biophys 1958 73: 233–246

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Gross MD, Prouty CB, Jacobs DR. . Stability of carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol during blood collection and processing procedures. Clin Chem 1995 41: 943–944.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Comstock GW et al. Stability of ascorbic acid, carotenoids, retinol and tocopherols in plasma stored at −70°C for 4 y. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1995 4: 505–507.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gerster H. . The potential role of lycopene for human health. J Am Coll Nutr 1997 16: 109–126.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Campbell DR et al. Plasma carotenoids as biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1994 3: 493–500.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Brady WE, Mares-Perlman JA, Bowen P, Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M. . Human serum carotenoid concentrations are related to physiologic and lifestyle factors. J Nutr 1996 126: 129–137.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Stahl W, Shwartz W, Sundquist AR, Sties H. . Cis–Trans isomers of lycopene and beta carotene in human serum and tissues. Arch Biochem Biophys 1992 294: 173–177.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Carughi A, Hooper FG. . Plasma carotenoid concentrations before and after supplementation with a carotenoid mixture. Am J Clin Nutr 1994 59: 896–899.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Micozzi MS et al. Plasma carotenoid response to chronic intake of selected foods and beta-carotene supplements in men. Am J Clin Nutr 1992 55: 1120–1125.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ross MA et al. Plasma concentrations of carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins in Scottish males: influences of smoking. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995 49: 861–865.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Peng YM et al. Concentrations and plasma-tissue-diet relationships of carotenoids, retinoids and tocopherols in humans. Nutr Cancer 1995 23: 233–246.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pamuk ER et al. Effect of smoking on serum nutrient concentrations in African-American women. Am J Clin Nutr 1994 59: 581–585.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Olmedilla B, Granado F, Blanco I, Rojas–Hidalgo E. . Seasonal and sex-related variations in six serum carotenoids, retinol and alpha tocopherol. Am J Clin Nutr 1994 60: 106–110.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rock CL, Swendseid ME, Jacob RA, McKee RW. . Plasma carotenoid levels in human subjects fed a low carotenoid diet. J Nutr 1992 122: 96–100.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Carughi A, Hooper FG. . Plasma carotenoid concentrations before and after supplementation with a carotenoid mixture. Am J Clin Nutr 1994 59: 896–899.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Micozzi MS et al. Plasma carotenoid response to chronic intake of selected foods and beta-carotene supplements in men. Am J Nutr 1992 55: 1120–1125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Clinton SK. . Lycopene: chemistry, biology and implications for human health and disease. Nutrition Reviews 1998 56: 35–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kaplan LA, Lau JM, Stein EA. . Carotenoid composition, concentrations and relationships in various human organs. Clin Physiol Biochem 1990 8: 1–10.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Schmitz HH, Poor CL, Wellman RB, Erdman JW Jr. . Concentrations of selected carotenoids and vitamin A in human liver, kidney and lung tissue. J Nutr 1991 121: 1613–1621.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Nierenberg DW et al. Effects of 4-year oral supplementation with beta-carotene on serum concentrations of retinol, tocopherol and five carotenoids. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 66: 315–319.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Clinton SK et al. Cis–trans lycopene isomers, carotenoids and retinol in the human prostate. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1996 5: 823–833.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Sanderson MJ, White KL, Drake IM, Schorah CJ. . Vitamin E and carotenoids in gastric biopsies: the relation to plasma concentrations in patients with and without Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 65: 101–106.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Parker RS. . Carotenoid and tocopherol composition in human adipose tissue. Am J Clin Nutr 1988 47: 33–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Nguyen ML, Shwartz SJ. . Carotenoid geometrical isomers in fresh and thermally processed fruits and vegetables. Proceedings of the 2nd Karlsruhe Nutrition Symposium, Karlsruhe, Germany 1997

  32. Yeum KJ et al. Human plasma carotenoid response to the ingestion of controlled diets high in fruit and vegetables. Am J Clin Nutr 1996 64: 594–602.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Freeman VL et al. Prostatic levels of tocopherols, carotenoids and retinol in relation to plasma levels and self-reported usual dietary intake. Am J Epidemiology 2000 151: 109–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Scott KJ, Hart DJ. . Development and evaluation of an HPLC method for the analysis of carotenoids in foods, and the measurement of the carotenoid content of vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in the UK. Food Chem 1995 54: 101–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Mangels AR et al. Carotenoid content of fruits and vegetables: an evaluation of analytical data. J Am Diet Assoc 1993 93: 284–296.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ong SSH, Tee ES. . Natural sources of carotenoids from plants and oils. Methods Enzymol 1992 213: 142–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Erdman JR Jr, Bierer TL, Gugger ET. . Absorption and transport of carotenoids. In: Canfield LM, Krinsky NI, Olson JA (eds). Carotenoids in Human Health 691: New York Acadamy of Sciences: New York 1993 76–85

    Google Scholar 

  38. Zhou JR, Gugger ET, Erdman JR Jr. . The crystalline form of carotenes and the food matrix in carrot root decrease the relative bioavailability of beta and alpha carotene in the ferret model. J Am Coll Nutr 1996 15: 84–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Gartner C, Stahl W, Sies H. . Lycopene is more bioavailable from tomato paste than from fresh tomatoes. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 66: 116–122.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bazzarre T. . Comparative evaluation of methods of collecting food intake data for epidemiological studies. Nutr Cancer 1983 5: 201–214.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Siggelbout AM et al. Development and relative validity of a food questionnaire for the estimation of intake of retinol and beta-carotene. Nutr Cancer 1989 12: 289–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Nutrient Coordinating Centre. . Nutrient data system release 2.9 MN: University of Minnesota 1998

  43. Tucker K et al. Carotenoid intakes, assessed by dietary questionnaire, are associated with plasma carotenoid concentrations in an elderly population. J Nutr 1998 129: 438–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kristal AR, Cohen H. . Invited commentary: tomatoes, lycopene and prostate cancer. How strong is the evidence? Am J Epidemiol 2000 151: 124–127.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Ripple MO, Henry WF, Rago RP, Wilding G. . Pro-oxidant-antioxidant shift induced by androgen treatment of human prostate carcinoma cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 1997 89: 40–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Malins DC, Polissar NL, Gunselman SJ. . Models of DNA structure achieve almost perfect discrimination between normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma and have a high potential for predicting BPH and prostate cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1997 94: 259–264.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Mayne ST. . Beta-carotene, carotenoids and cancer prevention. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA (eds). Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology 12: Lippincott-Raven: New Jersey, USA 1998 2–15.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Miller NJ et al. Antioxidant activities of carotenes and xanthophylls. FEBS letters 1996 384: 240–246.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Bohm F, Tinkler JH, Truscott TG. . Carotenoids protect against cell membrane damage by the nitrogen dioxide radical. Nature Med 1995 1: 98–99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Lu Y et al. A new carotenoid, hydrogen peroxide oxidation products from lycopene. Biosci Biotech Biochem 1995 59: 2153–2155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Woodall AA et al. Oxidation of carotenoids by free radicals: relationship between structure and reactivity. Biochim Biophys Acta (Netherlands) 1997 1336: 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Tinkler JH, Boehm F, Schalch W, Truscott TG. . Dietary carotenoids protect human cells from damage. J Photochem Photobiol 1994 26: 283–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Stahl W, Sies H. . Lycopene: a biologically important carotenoid for humans? Arch Biochem Biophys 1996 336: 1–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Zhang LX, Cooney RV, Bertram JS. . Carotenoids upregulate connexin 43 gene expression independent of their provitamin A or antioxidant properties. Cancer Res 1992 52: 5707–5712.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bankson DD, Countryman CJ, Collins SJ. . Potentiation of the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells by lycopene. Am J Clin Nutr 1991 53: Suppl 13.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Matsushima-Nishiwaki R et al. Suppression by carotenoids of microcystin-induced morphological changes in mouse hepatocytes. Lipids 1995 30: 1029–1034.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Levy J et al. Lycopene is a more potent inhibitor of human cancer cell proliferation than either alpha-carotene or beta-carotene. Nutr Cancer 1995 24: 257–266.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Nagasawa H, Mitamura T, Sakamoto S, Yamamoto K. . Effects of lycopene on spontaneous mammary tumour development in SHN virgin mice. Anticancer Res 1997 15: 118–123.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Sharoni Y, Giron E, Rise M, Levy J. . Effects of lycopene-enriched oleoresin on 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary tumours. Cancer Detect Prev 1997 21: 118–123.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Pastori M, Pfander H, Boscoboinik D, Azzi A. . Lycopene in association with alpha-tocopherol inhibits at physiological concentrations proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998 250: 582–585.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Chan JM et al. Plasma insulin like growth factor 1 and prostate cancer risk; a prospective study. Science 1998 279: 563–566.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Mucci LA et al. Are dietary influences on the risk of prostate cancer mediated through the insulin-like growth factor system? BJU International 2001 87: 814–820.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. US National Research Council . Committee on diet and health: implications for reducing chronic disease risk. National Academy Press: Washington (DC) 1989

  64. National Cancer Institute. . Diet, nutrition and cancer prevention: a guide to food choices. US Govt Print Off: Washington (DC) 1987

  65. World Cancer Research Fund American Institute for Cancer Research. . Food, nutrition and the prevention of cancer: a global prospective. American Institute for Cancer Research: Washington (DC) 1997

  66. Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy . (COMA) 1998 Annual Report, UK. Published in 1999 by the Department of Health (UK).

    Google Scholar 

  67. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Technical Report Series 797 WHO: Geneva 1990

  68. Ohno Y et al. Dietary beta-carotene and cancer of the prostate: a case-control study in Kyoto, Japan. Cancer Res 1988 48: 1331–1336.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Hsing AW et al. Diet, tobacco use and fatal prostate cancer: results from the Lutheran Brotherhood Cohort Study. Cancer Res 1990 50: 6836–6840.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. La Vecchia C et al. Dairy products and the risk of prostate cancer. Oncology 1991 48: 406–410.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Le Merchand L et al. Vegetable and fruit consumption in relation to prostate cancer risk in Hawaii: a re-evaluation of the effect of dietary beta-carotene. Am J Epidemiol 1991 133: 215–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Ross RK et al. Case–control study of prostate cancer in blacks and whites in Southern California. J Natl Cancer Inst 1987 78: 869–874.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Key T et al. A case–control study of diet and prostate cancer. Br J Cancer 1997 76: 678–687.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Kolonel LN et al. Relationship of dietary vitamin A and ascorbic acid intake to the risk of cancers of the lung, bladder and prostate in Hawaii. Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 1985 69: 127–142.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Kolonel LN, Hankin JH, Yoshizawa CN. . Vitamin A and prostate cancer in elderly men: enhancement of risk. Cancer Res 1987 47: 2982–2985.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Oishi K et al. A case control study of prostate cancer with reference to dietary habits. Prostate 1988 12: 179–190.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Mettlin C et al. Beta-carotene and animal fats and their relationship to prostate cancer risk: a case-control study. Cancer 1989 64: 605–612.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. West DW et al. Adult dietary intake and prostate cancer risk in Utah: a case–control study with special emphasis on aggressive tumours. Cancer Causes Control 1991 2: 85–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Rohan TE et al. Dietary fibre, vitamins A, C and E and risk of breast cancer: a cohort study. Cancer Causes Control 1993 4: 29–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Andersson S et al. Energy, nutrient intake and prostate cancer risk: a population based case control study in Sweden. Int J Cancer 1996 68: 716–722.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Daviglus M et al. Dietary beta-carotene, vitamin C and the risk of prostate cancer: results from Western Electric Study. Epidemiology 1996 7: 472–477.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Ghadirian P et al. Nutritional factors and prostate cancer: a case-control study of French Canadians in Montreal, Canada. Cancer Causes Control 1996 7: 428–436.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Meyer F et al. Dietary energy and nutrients in relation to preclinical prostate cancer. Nutr Cancer 1997 29: 120–126.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Tzonou A et al. Diet and cancer of the prostate: a case-control study in Greece. Int J Cancer 1999 80: 149–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Mills PK et al. Cohort study of diet, lifestyle and prostate cancer in Adventist men. Cancer 1989 64: 598–604.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Norrish AE, Jackson RT, Sharpe SJ, Murray Skeaff C. . Prostate cancer and dietary carotenoids. Am J Epidemiol 2000 151: 119–123.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Schuman L, Mandel J, Radke A. . Some selected features of the epidemiology of prostate cancer: Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota case–control study, 1976–1979. In: Magnus K, (ed). Trends in Cancer Incidence: Causes and Implications Hemisphere Publishing Corporation: Washington, DC 1982 345–354.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Schuurman AG et al. Vegetable and fruit consumption and prostate cancer risk: a cohort study in the Netherlands. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1998 7: 673–680.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Hsing AW et al. Serologic precursors of cancer. Retinol, carotenoids and tocopherol and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1990 82: 941–946.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Gann P et al. Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene: results of a prospective analysis. Cancer Res 1999 59: 1225–1230.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Rao AV, Fleschner G, Agarwal A. . Serum and tissue lycopene and biomarkers of oxidation in prostate cancer patients: a case–control study. Nutr and Cancer 1999 33: 159–164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Nomura AM et al. Serum micronutrients and prostate cancer in Japanese Americans in Hawaii. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997 6: 487–491.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Omenn GS et al. Effects of a combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. New Engl J Med 1996 334: 1150–1155.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. The Alpha Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. . The effect of vitamin E and beta-carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. New Engl J Med 1994 330: 1029–1035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Kucuk O et al. Phase II randomized clinical trial of lycopene supplementation before radical prostatectomy. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2001 10: 861–868.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, St George's Hospital, London, UK

    N J Barber

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK

    J Barber

Authors
  1. N J Barber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J Barber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barber, N., Barber, J. Lycopene and prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 5, 6–12 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500560

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500560

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links