Tall height and obesity are associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer: results from the EPIC cohort study

Height and Weight, Not Body Mass Index, Are Closely Associated With Activities of Daily Living in Japanese Older Adults

Body mass index (BMI) is routinely used to ascertain health status, including activities of daily living (ADLs); however, the associations of ADLs with height and weight in older adults have not been elucidated. Therefore, we cross-sectionally investigated the correlations between ADLs and height, weight, and BMI in 155 participants aged 82 to 103 years and characterized the naïve Bayesian prediction for ADLs. Activities of daily living showed a significant negative correlation with height and weight and a positive correlation with age. In males, a shorter height was associated with an increased risk of falling and disability in phone calling independently, and losing weight was associated with an increased risk of disability in going out. Combining age, weight, and height improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the prediction of disability in going out and phone calling independently in males. Therefore, height and weight, not BMI, are potential predictors of ADL decline.

A body shape index (ABSI) but not body mass index (BMI) is associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality: Evidence from the US NHANES database

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in males and obesity may play a role in its development and progression. Associations between visceral obesity measured by a body shape index (ABSI) and PCa mortality have not been thoroughly investigated. This study assessed the associations between ABSI, body mass index (BMI), and long-term PCa-specific mortality using a nationally representative US database.

METHODS

This population-based longitudinal study collected data of males aged ≥40 years diagnosed with PCa and who underwent surgery and/or radiation from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database 2001-2010. All included participants were followed through the end of 2019 using the National Center for Health Statistics Linked Mortality File. Associations between PCa-specific mortality, BMI, and ABSI were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

Data of 294 men (representing 1,393,857 US nationals) were analyzed. After adjusting for confounders, no significant associations were found between BMI (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97-1.16, p = 0.222), continuous ABSI (aHR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.83-2.02, p = 0.253), or ABSI in category (Q4 vs. Q1-Q3: aHR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.72-3.24, p = 0.265), and greater risk of PCa-specific mortality. However, among participants who had been diagnosed within 4 years, the highest ABSI quartile but not in BMI was significantly associated with greater risk for PCa-specific mortality (Q4 vs. Q1-Q3: aHR = 5.34, 95% CI: 2.26-12.62, p = 0.001). In ROC analysis for this subgroup, the area under the curve of ABSI alone for predicting PCa-specific mortality was 0.638 (95% CI: 0.448-0.828), reaching 0.729 (95% CI: 0.490-0.968 when combined with other covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In US males with PCa diagnosed within 4 years, high ABSI but not BMI is independently associated with increased PCa-specific mortality.

The impact of obesity and sexual behavior on prostate cancer risk is mediated by testosterone levels: a mendelian randomization study and mediation analysis

Background

The relationship between obesity, sexual behavior, and prostate cancer (PCa) has been widely debated, contributing to a lack of understanding of its potential mechanisms and hindering the development of effective prevention measures.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the causal effect of body mass index (BMI), age at first sexual intercourse (AFS), and bioavailable testosterone levels on PCa while also quantifying the potential roles of mediators.

Method

We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome-wide associations of BMI (152,893 European males), AFS (182,791 European males), bioavailable testosterone (184,205 European males), and PCa (79,148 cases, 61,106 controls, European ancestry). Inverse-variance weighted method, weighted median method, MR-Egger regression, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and outlier test were used for MR analyses. Reverse MR and mediation analysis were performed. Data analyses were conducted from December 2022 to July 2023.

Results

The results showed that genetic liability to BMI was protective of PCa (OR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.91; P = 3.29 × 10-4). Genetic liability to later AFS (OR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08-1.53; P = 5.64 × 10-3) and higher bioavailable testosterone levels (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24, P = 0.04) were associated with an increased risk of PCa. All of these potential causal effects could only be forwarded and were not affected by prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening. After controlling for bioavailable testosterone levels, the causal impact of BMI and AFS on PCa was no longer significant. The mediation analysis suggested that the causal influence of AFS/BMI on PCa relied on bioavailable testosterone levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between the univariable and multivariable MR results suggested that the causal influence of BMI and AFS on PCa relied on bioavailable testosterone levels. Further work is needed to identify other risk factors and to elucidate the specific mechanisms that underlie this causal pathway.

Cognitive fusion-targeted biopsy versus transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic biopsy: comparison and analysis of the risk of Gleason score upgrading

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to assess the precision of the Gleason score (GS) obtained through cognitive fusion-targeted biopsy (COG-TB) in comparison to transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic biopsy (TRUS-SB), and to identify factors that can predict Gleason score upgrading (GSU) in a cohort of Chinese patients.

METHODS

A final enrollment of 245 patients was recorded. Between 2020 and 2022, 132 patients underwent TRUS-SB, and 113 patients underwent COG-TB. The Chi-square test was performed to analyze the variation in downgrading, concordance, and upgrading between TRUS-SB and COG-TB. Multivariable analyses were performed to seek factors predicting Gleason score upgrading. Finally, a model which utilizes multivariable logistic regression was developed to predict the likelihood of GSU.

RESULTS

The concordance for TRUS-SB and COG-TB were 42.4% and 65.5%, respectively. TRUS-SB and COG-TB exhibited notable disparities in downgrading, concordance, and upgrading. Age, prostate volume, body mass index (BMI), and the biopsy modality were significant predictive factors.

CONCLUSION

COG-TB can significantly increase concordance with final histopathology. Age, prostate volume, BMI, and the biopsy modality were predictive factors of GSU.

Interactions of obesity, body shape, diabetes and sex steroids with respect to prostate cancer risk in the UK Biobank cohort

BACKGROUND

Obesity and diabetes are associated inversely with low-grade prostate cancer risk and affect steroid hormone synthesis but whether they modify each other's impact on prostate cancer risk remains unknown.

METHODS

We examined the independent associations of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), 'a body shape index' (ABSI), hip index (HI), circulating testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (per one standard deviation increase) and oestradiol ≥175 pmol/L with total prostate cancer risk using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for UK Biobank men. We evaluated multiplicative interactions (pMI ) and additive interactions (relative excess risk from interaction (pRERI ), attributable proportion (pAR ), synergy index (pSI )) with obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ) and diabetes.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 10.3 years, 9417 incident prostate cancers were diagnosed in 195,813 men. Diabetes and BMI were associated more strongly inversely with prostate cancer risk when occurring together (pMI  = 0.0003, pRERI  = 0.032, pAP  = 0.020, pSI  = 0.002). ABSI was associated positively in obese men (HR = 1.081; 95% CI = 1.030-1.135) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.114; 95% CI = 1.021-1.216). The inverse associations with obesity and diabetes were attenuated for high-ABSI ≥79.8 (pMI  = 0.022, pRERI  = 0.008, pAP  = 0.005, pSI  <0.0001 obesity; pMI  = 0.017, pRERI  = 0.047, pAP  = 0.025, pSI  = 0.0005 diabetes). HI was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.967; 95% CI = 0.947-0.988). Free testosterone (FT) was associated most strongly positively in normal weight men (HR = 1.098; 95% CI = 1.045-1.153) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.189; 95% CI = 1.081-1.308). Oestradiol was associated inversely in obese men (HR = 0.805; 95% CI = 0.682-0.951). The inverse association with obesity was stronger for high-FT ≥243 pmol/L (pRERI  = 0.040, pAP  = 0.031, pSI  = 0.002) and high-oestradiol (pRERI  = 0.030, pAP  = 0.012, pSI  <0.0001). The inverse association with diabetes was attenuated for high-FT (pMI  = 0.008, pRERI  = 0.015, pAP  = 0.009, pSI  = 0.0006). SHBG was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.918; 95% CI = 0.895-0.941), more strongly for high-HI ≥49.1 (pMI  = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and diabetes showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk, likely involving testosterone reduction for diabetes and oestrogen generation for obesity, which were attenuated for high-ABSI. HI and SHBG showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk.

Comparing histology between prostate cognitive fusion targeted biopsy and radical prostatectomy: exploring risk factors of Gleason score upgrading in Chinese patients

PURPOSE

To explore and identify the relevant clinical and pathological predictors leading to biopsy Gleason score upgrading (GSU) in cognitive fusion targeted biopsy (COG-TB) in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Clinical and pathological information of 496 patients who underwent COG-TB and radical prostatectomy (RP) in our hospital from January 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively compiled and analyzed. In this study, we screened valuable predictors through univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses and then constructed predictive models. We draw nomograms to visualize the predictive models. In addition, the discriminatory power of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Finally, calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive power of the model and the net benefits it could deliver.

RESULTS

Out of the 496 patients eligible for the study, 279 had a consistent Gleason score (GS) on biopsy and postoperative GS, 191 experienced GSU, and 26 experienced downgrading. Significant associations for GSU were identified for five risk factors through multivariable logistic regression analyses, which included age, prostate volume, BMI, tumor percentage in biopsy tissue, and tumor location. Our model had excellent discriminatory power through ROC analysis. Calibration curves and DCA showed that our model was well calibrated and provided certain benefits for patient treatment decisions.

CONCLUSION

Age, prostate volume, BMI, tumor percentage in biopsy tissue, and tumor location are risk indicators for predicting GSU in COG-TB. Our prediction model is more suitable for Chinese patients and can assist in accurately evaluating biopsy GS and developing effective treatment plans.

Associations of intakes of total protein, protein from dairy sources, and dietary calcium with risks of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer: a prospective analysis in UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Evidence concerning intakes of protein or sources of dairy protein and risks of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers is inconclusive.

METHODS

Using a subsample of UK Biobank participants who completed ≥2 (maximum of 5) 24-h dietary assessments, we estimated intakes of total protein, protein from total dairy products, milk, and cheese, and dietary calcium in 114,217 participants. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression.

RESULTS

After a median of 9.4 years of follow-up, 1193 colorectal, 2024 female breast, and 2422 prostate cancer cases were identified. There were inverse associations of total dairy protein, protein from milk, and dietary calcium intakes with colorectal cancer incidence (HRQ4 vs Q1:0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.94; 0.79, 0.67-0.94; 0.71, 0.58-0.86, respectively). We also observed positive associations of milk protein and dietary calcium with prostate cancer risk (HRQ4 vs Q1:1.12, 1.00-1.26 and 1.16, 1.01-1.33, respectively). No significant associations were observed between intake of dairy protein and breast cancer risk. When insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations measured at recruitment were added to the multivariable-adjusted models, associations remained largely unchanged. Analyses were also similar when looking at total grams of dairy products, milk, and cheese.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationships of dairy products with cancer risk and the potential roles of dietary protein and calcium.

Genetic predisposition to metabolically unfavourable adiposity and prostate cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

The associations of adiposity with aggressive prostate cancer risk are unclear. Using two-sample Mendelian randomization, we assessed the association of metabolically unfavourable adiposity (UFA), favourable adiposity (FA) and for comparison body mass index (BMI), with prostate cancer, including aggressive prostate cancer.

METHODS

We examined the association of these genetically predicted adiposity-related traits with risk of prostate cancer overall, aggressive and early onset disease using outcome summary statistics from the PRACTICAL consortium (including 15,167 aggressive cases).

RESULTS

In inverse-variance weighted models, there was little evidence that genetically predicted one standard deviation higher UFA, FA and BMI were associated with aggressive prostate cancer [OR: 0.85 (95% CI:0.61-1.19), 0.80 (0.53-1.23) and 0.97 (0.88-1.08), respectively]; these associations were largely consistent in sensitivity analyses accounting for horizontal pleiotropy. There was no strong evidence that genetically determined UFA, FA or BMI were associated with overall prostate cancer or early age of onset prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find differences in the associations of UFA and FA with prostate cancer risk, which suggest that adiposity is unlikely to influence prostate cancer via the metabolic factors assessed; however, these did not cover some aspects related to metabolic health that may link obesity with aggressive prostate cancer, which should be explored in future studies.

Association between adiposity after diagnosis of prostate cancer and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To explore the associations between adiposity indices, assessed at or after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and mortality.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed and Embase, from inception to 16 November 2022.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Cohort studies or randomised controlled trials of men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer that investigated the associations between adiposity (body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue) after diagnosis and mortality outcomes. A modified version of the risk of bias for nutrition observational studies tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

79 studies were identified that investigated adiposity indices after a diagnosis of prostate cancer in relation to mortality. No randomised controlled trials were found. A non-linear dose-response meta-analysis indicated a J shaped association between body mass index and all cause mortality (33 910 men, 11 095 deaths, 17 studies). The highest rate of all cause mortality was found at the lowest and upper range of the distribution: 11-23% higher rate for a body mass index of 17-21 and 4-43% higher rate for a body mass index of 30-40. The association between body mass index and mortality specific to prostate cancer was flat until body mass index reached 26-27, and then increased linearly by 8-66% for a body mass index of 30-40 (33 137 men, 2947 deaths, 13 studies), but the 95% confidence intervals were wide. These associations did not differ in most predefined subgroups by study design, number of deaths, anthropometric assessment, follow-up time, geographical location, prostate cancer risk group, and adjustment variables. No associations were found in meta-analyses between 10 cm increases in waist circumference and all cause mortality or mortality specific to prostate cancer, but only three studies were available. The few studies with data on change in weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue reported conflicting results.

Conclusions

This review suggests that patients with prostate cancer might benefit from maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity. Future studies should investigate adiposity across different stages of cancer survivorship and use various parameters for distribution of adipose tissue.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/qp3c4.

A Healthy Lifestyle in Men at Increased Genetic Risk for Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most heritable cancer. There is a need to identify possible modifiable factors for men at an increased risk of prostate cancer due to genetic factors.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether men at an increased genetic risk of prostate cancer can offset their risk of disease or disease progression by adhering to a healthy lifestyle.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We prospectively followed 12 411 genotyped men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1993-2019) and the Physicians' Health Study (1983-2010). Genetic risk of prostate cancer was quantified using a polygenic risk score (PRS). A healthy lifestyle was defined by healthy weight, vigorous physical activity, not smoking, and a healthy diet.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Overall and lethal prostate cancer events (metastatic disease/prostate cancer-specific death) were analyzed using time-to-event analyses estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and lifetime risks.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

During 27 yr of follow-up, 3005 overall prostate cancer and 435 lethal prostate cancer events were observed. The PRS enabled risk stratification not only for overall prostate cancer, but also for lethal disease with a four-fold difference between men in the highest and lowest quartiles (HR, 4.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.16-5.89). Among men in the highest PRS quartile, adhering to a healthy lifestyle was associated with a decreased rate of lethal prostate cancer (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.36-0.86) compared with having an unhealthy lifestyle, translating to a lifetime risk of 1.6% (95% CI, 0.8-3.1%) among the healthy and 5.3% (95% CI, 3.6-7.8%) among the unhealthy. Adhering to a healthy lifestyle was not associated with a decreased risk of overall prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a genetic predisposition for prostate cancer is not deterministic for a poor cancer outcome. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may provide a way to offset the genetic risk of lethal prostate cancer.

PATIENT SUMMARY

This study examined whether the genetic risk of prostate cancer can be attenuated by a healthy lifestyle including a healthy weight, regular exercise, not smoking, and a healthy diet. We observed that adherence to a healthy lifestyle reduced the risk of metastatic disease and prostate cancer death among men at the highest genetic risk. We conclude that men at a high genetic risk of prostate cancer may benefit from adhering to a healthy lifestyle.

Diagnostic Efficiency of Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value to Predict Prostate Cancer in Patients with Prostate-Specific Antigen between 4 and 20 ng/mL

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the predictive value of the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and other systemic inflammatory markers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), for prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) in patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value between 4 and 20 ng/mL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical data of 319 eligible patients who underwent prostate biopsies in our hospital from August 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. CSPCa was defined as a "Gleason grade group of ≥2". A univariable logistic regression analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to analyze the association between the PIV, SII, MLR, and PCa/CSPCa. For the inflammatory indicators included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we constructed models by combining the separate inflammatory indicator and other significant predictors and compared the area under the curve (AUC). A nomogram based on the PIV for PCa was developed.

RESULTS

We included 148 PCa patients (including 127 CSPCa patients) and 171 non-PCa patients in total. The patients with PCa were older, had higher MLR, SII, PIV, and total PSA (TPSA) values, consumed more alcohol, and had lower free/total PSA (f/T) values than the other patients. Compared with the non-CSPCa group, the CSPCa group had higher BMI, MLR, PIV, TPSA values, consumed more alcohol, and had lower f/T values. The univariable regression analysis showed that drinking history, higher MLR, PIV, and TPSA values, and lower f/T values were independent predictors of PCa and CSPCa. The AUC of the PIV in the multivariable logistic regression model was higher than those of the MLR and SII. In addition, the diagnostic value of the PIV + PSA for PCa was better than the PSA value. However, the diagnostic value for CSPCa was not significantly different from that of using PSA alone, while the AUC of the PIV + PSA was higher than the individual indicator of the PSA value.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that for the patients who were diagnosed with PSA values between 4 and 20 ng/mL, the PIV and MLR are potential indicators for predicting PCa and CSPCa. In addition, our study indicates that the new inflammatory index PIV has clinical value in the diagnosis of PCa and CSPCa.

Alteration of Lipid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer: Multifaceted Oncologic Implications

Cancer is increasingly recognized as an extraordinarily heterogeneous disease featuring an intricate mutational landscape and vast intra- and intertumor variability on both genetic and phenotypic levels. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent malignant disease among men worldwide. A single metabolic program cannot epitomize the perplexing reprogramming of tumor metabolism needed to sustain the stemness of neoplastic cells and their prominent energy-consuming functional properties, such as intensive proliferation, uncontrolled growth, migration, and invasion. In cancerous tissue, lipids provide the structural integrity of biological membranes, supply energy, influence the regulation of redox homeostasis, contribute to plasticity, angiogenesis and microenvironment reshaping, mediate the modulation of the inflammatory response, and operate as signaling messengers, i.e., lipid mediators affecting myriad processes relevant for the development of the neoplasia. Comprehensive elucidation of the lipid metabolism alterations in PCa, the underlying regulatory mechanisms, and their implications in tumorigenesis and the progression of the disease are gaining growing research interest in the contemporary urologic oncology. Delineation of the unique metabolic signature of the PCa featuring major aberrant pathways including de novo lipogenesis, lipid uptake, storage and compositional reprogramming may provide novel, exciting, and promising avenues for improving diagnosis, risk stratification, and clinical management of such a complex and heterogeneous pathology.

Long-term exposure to residential green spaces and site-specific cancer mortality in urban Belgium: A 13-year follow-up cohort study

BACKGROUND

Residing in greener areas may decrease the burden of chronic diseases, but the association with cancer is unclear. We studied the associations between residential green spaces and site-specific cancer mortality in urban Belgium.

METHODOLOGY

We linked the 2001 Belgian census, register mortality data for 2001-2014, and environmental information (green spaces and air pollution) at baseline residence (2001). We included residents from the largest Belgian urban areas aged ≥ 30 years at baseline. Exposure to residential green spaces was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Urban Atlas, and perceived neighbourhood greenness (from the census). We used Cox proportional hazards models to obtain hazard ratios (HR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI) of the mortality risk from lung, colorectal, breast (in women) and prostate cancer (in men) per interquartile range increment in residential green spaces. We further analyzed the role of outdoor air pollution and effect modification by age and socioeconomic position (SEP) in main associations.

RESULTS

2,441,566 individuals were included at baseline. During follow-up, 1.2 % died from lung cancer, 0.6 % from colorectal cancer, 0.8 % from breast cancer, and 0.6 % from prostate cancer. After adjustment, higher exposure to green spaces was associated with a reduced mortality risk from lung cancer and breast cancer [e.g., for NDVI within 300 m, HR:0.946 (95 %CI:0.924,0.970), and HR:0.927 (95 %CI:0.892,0.963), respectively], but not with colorectal or prostate cancer mortality. For the latter, a suggestive hazardous effect of green spaces was found. Air pollution seemed to have only a marginal role. Beneficial effects of greenspace were generally stronger in < 65-year-old, but no clear trend by SEP was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that residing in green areas could decrease mortality risk from lung and breast cancer, potentially independent from air pollution. Future studies should consider different indicators of greenspace exposure and investigate potential pathways underlying the associations.

The impact of body mass index on prostate cancer: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggested obesity was associated with the risk of prostate cancer. Also, the association between prostate cancer risk and obesity has received much attention in recent years, but the results are still unclear. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on prostate cancer.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Cochrane databases with the appropriate key terms to identify the eligible articles related to the impact of BMI on prostate cancer. The Newcastle-Ottawa checklist was used for the quality assessment of studies, and the meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

The present review includes 23 studies that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. In the meta-analysis, a significant difference was observed between the obese and normal weight (P < .001) and 54% of obese has a risk compared to normal weight. Heterogeneity between the fifteen studies was high (I2 = 100%). Test for overall effect: Z = 8.77 (P < .001) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.32 confidence interval [CI]: 0.25-0.42). However, there was no significant difference observed between the overweight and normal weight (P = .75). Heterogeneity between the fifteen studies is high (I2 = 100%).

CONCLUSION

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy that poses a threat to the health of men. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of death from prostate cancer based on the findings of the included studies. Furthermore, wherever possible, the impact of weight change on prostate cancer patient mortality should be investigated.

Adiposity and risk of prostate cancer death: a prospective analysis in UK Biobank and meta-analysis of published studies

BACKGROUND

The association of adiposity with prostate cancer specific mortality remains unclear. We examined how adiposity relates to fatal prostate cancer and described the cross-sectional associations of commonly used adiposity measurements with adiposity estimated by imaging in UK Biobank. We also conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to integrate the new data with existing prospective evidence.

METHODS

218,237 men from UK Biobank who were free from cancer at baseline were included. Body mass index (BMI), total body fat percentage (using bioimpedance), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were collected at recruitment. Risk of dying from prostate cancer (primary cause) by the different adiposity measurements was estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results from this and other prospective cohort studies were combined in a dose-response meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In UK Biobank, 661 men died from prostate cancer over a mean follow-up of 11.6 years. In the subsample of participants with magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, BMI, body fat percentage and WC were strongly associated with imaging estimates of total and central adiposity (e.g. visceral fat, trunk fat). The hazard ratios (HR) for prostate cancer death were 1.07 (95% confidence interval = 0.97-1.17) per 5 kg/m2 higher BMI, 1.00 (0.94-1.08) per 5% increase in total body fat percentage, 1.06 (0.99-1.14) per 10 cm increase in WC and 1.07 (1.01-1.14) per 0.05 increase in WHR. Our meta-analyses of prospective studies included 19,633 prostate cancer deaths for BMI, 670 for body fat percentage, 3181 for WC and 1639 for WHR, and the combined HRs for dying from prostate cancer for the increments above were 1.10 (1.07-1.12), 1.03 (0.96-1.11), 1.07 (1.03-1.11), and 1.06 (1.01-1.10), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we found that men with higher total and central adiposity had similarly higher risks of prostate cancer death, which may be biologically driven and/or due to differences in detection. In either case, these findings support the benefit for men of maintaining a healthy body weight.

Risk of cancer in regular and low meat-eaters, fish-eaters, and vegetarians: a prospective analysis of UK Biobank participants

BACKGROUND

Following a vegetarian diet has become increasingly popular and some evidence suggests that being vegetarian may be associated with a lower risk of cancer overall. However, for specific cancer sites, the evidence is limited. Our aim was to assess the associations of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets with risks of all cancer, colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, and prostate cancer and to explore the role of potential mediators between these associations.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective analysis of 472,377 UK Biobank participants who were free from cancer at recruitment. Participants were categorised into regular meat-eaters (n = 247,571), low meat-eaters (n = 205,385), fish-eaters (n = 10,696), and vegetarians (n = 8685) based on dietary questions completed at recruitment. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all cancer incidence and separate cancer sites across diet groups.

RESULTS

After an average follow-up of 11.4 years, 54,961 incident cancers were identified, including 5882 colorectal, 7537 postmenopausal breast, and 9501 prostate cancers. Compared with regular meat-eaters, being a low meat-eater, fish-eater, or vegetarian were all associated with a lower risk of all cancer (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.00; 0.90, 0.84-0.96; 0.86, 0.80-0.93, respectively). Being a low meat-eater was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in comparison to regular meat-eaters (0.91, 0.86-0.96); however, there was heterogeneity in this association by sex (p = 0.007), with an inverse association across diet groups in men, but not in women. Vegetarian postmenopausal women had a lower risk of breast cancer (0.82, 0.68-0.99), which was attenuated and non-significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI; 0.87, 0.72-1.05); in mediation analyses, BMI was found to possibly mediate the observed association. In men, being a fish-eater or a vegetarian was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer (0.80, 0.65-0.99 and 0.69, 0.54-0.89, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The lower risk of colorectal cancer in low meat-eaters is consistent with previous evidence suggesting an adverse impact of meat intake. The lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in vegetarian women may be explained by their lower BMI. It is not clear whether the other differences observed for all cancers and for prostate cancer reflect any causal relationships or are due to other factors such as residual confounding or differences in cancer detection.

Somatic mutational profiles and germline polygenic risk scores in human cancer

BACKGROUND

The mutational profile of cancer reflects the activity of the mutagenic processes which have been operative throughout the lineage of the cancer cell. These processes leave characteristic profiles of somatic mutations called mutational signatures. Mutational signatures, including single-base substitution (SBS) signatures, may reflect the effects of exogenous or endogenous exposures.

METHODS

We used polygenic risk scores (PRS) to summarize common germline variation associated with cancer risk and other cancer-related traits and examined the association between somatic mutational profiles and germline PRS in 12 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Somatic mutational profiles were constructed from whole-exome sequencing data of primary tumors. PRS were calculated for the 12 selected cancer types and 9 non-cancer traits, including cancer risk determinants, hormonal factors, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, using germline genetic data and published summary statistics from genome-wide association studies.

RESULTS

We found 17 statistically significant associations between somatic mutational profiles and germline PRS after Bonferroni correction (p < 3.15 × 10^-5), including positive associations between germline inflammatory bowel disease PRS and number of somatic mutations attributed to signature SBS1 in prostate cancer and APOBEC-related signatures in breast cancer. Positive associations were also found between age at menarche PRS and mutation counts of SBS1 in overall and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Consistent with prior studies that found an inverse association between the pubertal development PRS and risk of prostate cancer, likely reflecting hormone-related mechanisms, we found an inverse association between age at menarche PRS and mutation counts of SBS1 in prostate cancer. Inverse associations were also found between several cancer PRS and tumor mutation counts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that there are robust associations between tumor somatic mutational profiles and germline PRS. These may reflect the mechanisms through hormone regulation and immune responses that contribute to cancer etiology and drive cancer progression.

Menstrual cycle characteristics and incident cancer: a prospective cohort study

STUDY QUESTION

Are menstrual cycle characteristics throughout the reproductive lifespan associated with cancer risk?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Irregular and long menstrual cycles throughout the reproductive lifespan were associated with increased risk of total invasive cancer, especially obesity-related cancers.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Long and irregular menstrual cycles have been associated with lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and higher risk of endometrial cancer, but associations with other malignancies are less clear.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Prospective cohort study. Prospective follow-up of 78 943 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study II between 1989 and 2015.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We followed 78 943 pre-menopausal women without cancer history who reported the usual length and regularity of their menstrual cycles at different ages (14-17, 18-22 and 29-46 years). Cancer diagnosis was confirmed through medical record review and classified as obesity-related (colorectal, gallbladder, kidney, multiple myeloma, thyroid, pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, liver, endometrial, ovarian and post-menopausal breast) or non-obesity-related. We fitted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and cancer incidence.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We documented 5794 incident cancer cases during 1 646 789 person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for BMI and other potential confounders, women reporting irregular cycles at age 29-46 years had an 11% (95% CI: 2-21%) higher risk of total invasive cancer than women reporting very regular cycles at the same age. This association was limited to obesity-related cancers, with a 23% (95% CI: 9-39%) higher risk and was strongest for endometrial cancer (HR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.09-1.77). Findings were comparable for cycle characteristics earlier in life and for menstrual cycle length. Very irregular cycles at age 14-17 years were associated with significant increase in risk of colorectal cancer (HR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.81).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Our study might be subject to recall bias for findings pertaining to cycle characteristics in adolescence and early adulthood, as these were retrospectively reported. Generalizability to non-White women may be limited, as 96% of participants were White.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Women with irregular or long menstrual cycles in mid-adulthood had a statistically significantly higher risk of developing cancer, especially obesity-related cancers. This association was not limited to gynecological cancers. Obesity-related cancers may need to be added to the spectrum of long-term health consequences of long or irregular cycles, possibly warranting targeted screening among women who experience long or irregular cycles in mid-adulthood.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST

This work was supported by grants U01 CA176726, U01 HL145386 and R01 HD096033 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Serum markers, obesity and prostate cancer risk: results from the prostate cancer prevention trial

Molecular mechanisms linking obesity to prostate cancer involve steroid hormone and insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) pathways. We investigated the association of circulating serum markers (e.g. androgens and IGFs/IGFBPs) with BMI and in modifying the association of obesity with prostate cancer risk. Data and specimens for this nested case-control study are from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of finasteride for prostate cancer prevention. Presence or absence of cancer was determined by prostate biopsy. Serum samples were assayed for sex steroid hormone concentrations and IGF1 axis analytes. Logistic regression estimated odds ratio and 95% CIs for risk of overall, low-grade (Gleason 2-6), and high-grade (Gleason 7-10) cancers. We found significant associations between BMI with serum steroids and IGFs/IGFBPs; the IGF1 axis was significantly associated with several serum steroids. Serum steroid levels did not affect the association of BMI with prostate cancer risk; however, IGFBP2 and IGFs modified the association of obesity with low- and high-grade disease. While serum steroids and IGFs/IGFBPs are associated with BMI, only the IGF1 axis contributed to obesity-related prostate cancer risk. Understanding the biological mechanisms linking obesity to prostate cancer risk as it relates to circulating serum markers will aid in developing effective prostate cancer prevention strategies and treatments.

Mendelian randomisation analyses of UK Biobank and published data suggest that increased adiposity lowers risk of breast and prostate cancer

Breast (BCa) and prostate (PrCa) cancer are the first and second most common types of cancer in women and men, respectively. We aimed to explore the causal effect of adiposity on BCa and PrCa risk in the UK Biobank and published data. We used Mendelian randomisation (MR) to assess the causal effect of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on BCa and PrCa risk. We found that increased BMI, WC and HC decreased the risk of breast cancer (OR 0.70 per 5.14 kg/m2 [0.59-0.85, p = 2.1 × 10-4], 0.76 per 12.49 cm [60-0.97, p = 0.028] and 0.73 per 10.31 cm [0.59-0.90, p = 3.7 × 10-3], respectively) and increased WC and BMI decreased the risk of prostate cancer (0.68 per 11.32 cm [0.50-0.91, p = 0.01] and 0.76 per 10.23 kg/m2 [0.61-0.95, p = 0.015], respectively) in UK Biobank participants. We confirmed our results with a two-sample-MR of published data. In conclusion, our results suggest a protective effect of adiposity on the risk of BCa and PrCa highlighting the need to re-evaluate the role of adiposity as cancer risk factor.

Obesity and biochemical recurrence in clinically localised prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 86,490 patients

BACKGROUND

The association of obesity with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after treatment of clinically localised prostate cancer (PC) shows inconsistent results. Our aim was to systematically review all evidence evaluating obesity as a prognostic factor for BCR.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, from inception to June 1, 2021. Cohort studies reporting BCR among PC patients stratified by body mass index (BMI) were included. To assess the quality of the selected studies, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Risk of BCR among obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) was compared with normal weight (BMI < 25), pooling individual hazard ratios (HR) in random-effect meta-analysis. Associations for continuous BMI per 5 kg/m² were also calculated. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess reasons for heterogeneity and causal criteria were formally evaluated.

RESULTS

We identified 46 cohort studies including 86,490 PC patients. A total of 14,719 (17.1%) patients developed BCR. There was no consistent definition of BCR. Obesity was associated with BCR (HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.11-1.39, I²: 70.3%), and there was a 10% increase (95% CI: 4-15%, I²: 66.3%) in BCR per 5 kg/m² increase in BMI. The heterogeneity was high but decreased in the subgroup of highest-quality NOS score and when the BMI was measured by the researchers (I²: 0.0%). The association was consistent in patients receiving radical prostatectomy but not in patients receiving other therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity showed a moderate, consistent relationship with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Measurement of BMI and BCR was variable, highlighting the need for standardised clinical guidelines. Preventive weight control programs may have a role in reducing BCR for clinically localised PC patients.

Adiposity and cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis in the UK biobank

BACKGROUND

Observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies link obesity and cancer, but it remains unclear whether these depend upon related metabolic abnormalities.

METHODS

We used information from 321,472 participants in the UK biobank, including 30,561 cases of obesity-related cancer. We constructed three genetic instruments reflecting higher adiposity together with either "unfavourable" (82 SNPs), "favourable" (24 SNPs) or "neutral" metabolic profile (25 SNPs). We looked at associations with 14 types of cancer, previously suggested to be associated with obesity.

RESULTS

All genetic instruments had a strong association with BMI (p < 1 × 10^-300 for all). The instrument reflecting unfavourable adiposity was also associated with higher CRP, HbA1c and adverse lipid profile, while instrument reflecting metabolically favourable adiposity was associated with lower HbA1c and a favourable lipid profile. In MR-inverse-variance weighted analysis unfavourable adiposity was associated with an increased risk of non-hormonal cancers (OR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.08, 1.38), but a lower risk of hormonal cancers (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.72, 0.89). From individual cancers, MR analyses suggested causal increases in the risk of multiple myeloma (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.70) and endometrial cancer (OR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.16, 2.68) by greater genetically instrumented unfavourable adiposity but lower risks of breast and prostate cancer (OR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.61, 0.83 and OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.68, 0.97, respectively). Favourable or neutral adiposity were not associated with the odds of any individual cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher adiposity associated with a higher risk of non-hormonal cancer but a lower risk of some hormone related cancers. Presence of metabolic abnormalities might aggravate the adverse effects of higher adiposity on cancer. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether interventions on adverse metabolic health may help to alleviate obesity-related cancer risk.

Cancer nanotechnology: current status and perspectives

Modern medicine has been waging a war on cancer for nearly a century with no tangible end in sight. Cancer treatments have significantly progressed, but the need to increase specificity and decrease systemic toxicities remains. Early diagnosis holds a key to improving prognostic outlook and patient quality of life, and diagnostic tools are on the cusp of a technological revolution. Nanotechnology has steadily expanded into the reaches of cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, diagnostics, and imaging, demonstrating the capacity to augment each and advance patient care. Nanomaterials provide an abundance of versatility, functionality, and applications to engineer specifically targeted cancer medicine, accurate early-detection devices, robust imaging modalities, and enhanced radiotherapy adjuvants. This review provides insights into the current clinical and pre-clinical nanotechnological applications for cancer drug therapy, diagnostics, imaging, and radiation therapy.

Association of Anthropometric Measures With the Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort

In studies of anthropometric measures and prostate cancer risk, conducted primarily in White men, positive associations with advanced disease have been reported. We assessed body size in relation to incident prostate cancer risk in 79,950 men from the Multiethnic Cohort, with 8,819 cases identified over 22 years (1993-2015). Height was associated with increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (≥68 inches (≥ 173 cm) vs. < 66 inches (168 cm); hazard ratio (HR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.48) and high-grade disease (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.31). Compared with men of normal weight, men overweight at baseline were at higher risk of high-grade cancer (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.26). Greater weight was positively associated with localized and low-grade disease in Blacks and Native Hawaiians (by race, P for heterogeneity = 0.0002 and 0.008, respectively). Weight change since age 21 years was positively associated with high-grade disease (for ≥ 40 pounds (18 kg) vs. 10 pounds (4.5 kg), HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.37; P for trend = 0.005). Comparing highest versus lowest quartile, waist-to-hip ratio was associated with a 1.78-fold increase (95% CI: 1.28, 2.46) in the risk of advanced prostate cancer. Positive associations with the majority of anthropometric measures were observed in all 5 racial/ethnic groups, suggesting a general impact of anthropometric measures on risk across populations.

Obesity as a Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of 280,199 Patients

Simple Summary

Results from individual studies on the association between obesity and prostate cancer mortality remain inconclusive; additionally, several large cohort studies have recently been conducted. We aimed to systematically review all available evidence and synthetize it using meta-analytic techniques. The results of our study showed that obesity was associated with prostate cancer specific mortality and all-cause mortality. The temporal association was consistent with a dose-response relationship. Our results demonstrated that obesity, a potentially modifiable prognostic factor, was associated with higher prostate cancer mortality. This study improved the evidence regarding the potential impact of lifestyle on improving prostate cancer prognosis. Strategies aimed at maintaining normal, or reducing abnormal, body mass index in diagnosed prostate cancer patients might improve survival. These results should guide urologists, oncologists, patients, policy-makers and primary care providers with respect to evidence-based practice and counselling concerning lifestyle changes after prostate cancer diagnosis.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to systematically review all evidence evaluating obesity as a prognostic factor for PC mortality. Cohort and case-control studies reporting mortality among PC patients stratified by body mass index (BMI) were included. The risk of mortality among obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) was compared with the risk for normal weight (BMI < 25) patients, pooling individual hazard ratios (HR) in random-effects meta-analyses. Reasons for heterogeneity were assessed in subgroup analyses. Dose-response associations for BMI per 5 kg/m² change were assessed. Among 7278 citations, 59 studies (280,199 patients) met inclusion criteria. Obesity was associated with increased PC-specific mortality (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10–1.28, I²: 44.4%) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00–1.18, I²: 43.9%). There was a 9% increase (95% CI: 5–12%, I²: 39.4%) in PC-specific mortality and 3% increase (95% CI: 1–5%, I²: 24.3%) in all-cause mortality per 5 kg/m² increase in BMI. In analyses restricted to the higher quality subgroup (NOS ≥ 8), obesity was associated with increased PC-specific mortality (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14–1.35, I²: 0.0%) and maintained the dose-response relationship (HR: 1.11 per 5 kg/m² increase in BMI, 95% CI: 1.07–1.15, I²: 26.6%). Obesity had a moderate, consistent, temporal, and dose-response association with PC mortality. Weight control programs may have a role in improving PC survival.

Observational Study of the Association between Air Cadmium Exposure and Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness at Diagnosis among a Nationwide Retrospective Cohort of 230,540 Patients in the United States

Although studies have investigated cadmium and prostate cancer (PC) incidence and mortality, the role of cadmium in PC progression might be more clinically relevant. In this observational study, we assessed the association between air cadmium exposure and PC aggressiveness, with PC stage defined as metastatic or localized and Gleason grade defined as high (Gleason score ≥ 8) or low (Gleason score ≤ 6) among PC patients from the 2010–2014 US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The 2005 and 2011 National Air Toxics Assessment provided county-level air cadmium concentrations. Results were presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and were calculated using random intercept mixed effects logistic regression, comparing the 80th to 20th percentile of exposure. We adjusted for age, sociodemographic status, smoking prevalence, and overall air quality at the county level, and stratified by race, age, and degree of urbanization. The cohort consisted of 230,540 cases from 493 counties. Strong associations were observed in nonmetropolitan, urban areas: (OR 1.26, CI 1.14–1.39) for metastatic vs. localized and (OR 1.41, CI 1.27–1.57) for high- vs. low-grade PC where 40 million Americans reside. This study may be hypothesis-generating to inform future studies and public health measures.

Factors Influencing Care Pathways for Breast and Prostate Cancer in a Hospital Setting

Breast cancer (BCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) are the most prevalent types of cancers. We aimed to understand and analyze the care pathways for BCa and PCa patients followed at a hospital setting by analyzing their different treatment lines. We evaluated the association between different treatment lines and the lifestyle and demographic characteristics of these patients. Two datasets were created using the electronic health records (EHRs) and information collected through semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Statistical analysis was performed to examine which variable had an impact on the treatment each patient followed. In total, 83 patients participated in the study that ran between January and November 2018 in Beacon Hospital. Results show that chemotherapy cycles indicate if a patient would have other treatments, i.e., patients who have targeted therapy (25/46) have more chemotherapy cycles (95% CI 4.66–9.52, p = 0.012), the same is observed with endocrine therapy (95% CI 4.77–13.59, p = 0.044). Patients who had bisphosphonate (11/46), an indication of bone metastasis, had more chemotherapy cycles (95% CI 5.19–6.60, p = 0.012). PCa patients with tall height (95% CI 176.70–183.85, p = 0.005), heavier (95% CI 85.80–99.57, p < 0.001), and a BMI above 25 (95% CI 1.85–2.62, p = 0.017) had chemotherapy compared to patients who were shorter, lighter and with BMI less than 25. Initial prostate-specific antigen level (PSA level) indicated if a patient would be treated with bisphosphonate or not (95% CI 45.51–96.14, p = 0.002). Lifestyle variables such as diet (95% CI 1.46–1.85, p = 0.016), and exercise (95% CI 1.20–1.96, p = 0.029) indicated that healthier and active BCa patients had undergone surgeries. Our findings show that chemotherapy cycles and lifestyle for BCa, and tallness and weight for PCa may indicate the rest of treatment plan for these patients. Understanding factors that influence care pathways allow a more person-centered care approach and the redesign of care processes.

General and abdominal obesity trajectories across adulthood, and risk of prostate cancer: results from the PROtEuS study, Montreal, Canada

PURPOSE

Greater body fatness is a probable cause of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Body fat distribution and timing of exposure may be relevant. We investigated associations between body size trajectories and PCa incidence in a population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada.

METHODS

Cases (n = 1,931), aged ≤ 75 years, were diagnosed with PCa in 2005-2009; 1,994 controls were selected from the electoral list. Interviews were conducted to assess body mass index (BMI) and Stunkard's silhouette at ages 20, 40, 50, 60 years, and before interview. Current waist and hip circumferences were measured, and a predictive model estimated waist circumference in the past. BMI and waist circumference trajectories were determined to identify subgroups. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between anthropometric indicators and PCa.

RESULTS

Subjects with a current BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² had a lower risk of overall PCa (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59-0.85). Associations with adult BMI followed similar trends for less and more aggressive tumors, with stronger inverse relationships in early adulthood. Contrastingly, current waist circumference ≥ 102 cm was associated with elevated risk of high-grade PCa (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03-1.71). Men with increasing BMI or waist circumference adult trajectories had a lower risk of PCa, especially low-grade, than those in the normal-stable range. This was especially evident among men in the obese-increase group for BMI and waist circumference.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal obesity increased the risk of aggressive PCa. The inverse relationship between body size trajectories and PCa may reflect PSA hemodilution, lower detection, and/or a true etiological effect.

Waist circumference and a body shape index and prostate cancer risk and mortality

We recently found a negative association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of localised prostate cancer (PCa), no association with advanced PCa, and a positive association with PCa‐specific mortality. In a 15% subpopulation of that study, we here investigated the measures of abdominal adiposity including waist circumference (WC) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) in relation to PCa risk and mortality. We used data from 58,457 men from four Swedish cohorts to assess WC and ABSI in relation to PCa risk according to cancer risk category, including localised asymptomatic and symptomatic PCa and advanced PCa, and PCa‐specific mortality. Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During, on average, 10 years of follow‐up, 3290 men were diagnosed with PCa and 387 died of PCa. WC was negatively associated with the risk of total PCa (HR per 10 cm, 0.95; 95% CI 0.92–0.99), localised PCa (HR per 10 cm, 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.96) and localised asymptomatic PCa cases detected through a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) test (HR per 10 cm, 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94). WC was not associated with the risk of advanced PCa (HR per 10 cm, 1.02, 95% CI 0.93–1.14) or with PCa‐specific mortality (HR per 10 cm, 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.19). ABSI showed no associations with the risk of PCa or PCa‐specific mortality. While the negative association between WC and the risk of localised PCa was partially driven by PSA‐detected PCa cases, no association was found between abdominal adiposity and clinically manifest PCa in our population.

Examination of potential novel biochemical factors in relation to prostate cancer incidence and mortality in UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Although prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, its aetiology is not well understood. We aimed to identify novel biochemical factors for prostate cancer incidence and mortality in UK Biobank.

METHODS

A range of cardiovascular, bone, joint, diabetes, renal and liver-related biomarkers were measured in baseline blood samples collected from up to 211,754 men at recruitment and in a subsample 5 years later. Participants were followed-up via linkage to health administrative datasets to identify prostate cancer cases. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression corrected for regression dilution bias. Multiple testing was accounted for by using a false discovery rate controlling procedure.

RESULTS

After an average follow-up of 6.9 years, 5763 prostate cancer cases and 331 prostate cancer deaths were ascertained. Prostate cancer incidence was positively associated with circulating vitamin D, urea and phosphate concentrations and inversely associated with glucose, total protein and aspartate aminotransferase. Phosphate and cystatin-C were the only biomarkers positively and inversely, respectively, associated with risk in analyses excluding the first 4 years of follow-up. There was little evidence of associations with prostate cancer death.

CONCLUSION

We found novel associations of several biomarkers with prostate cancer incidence. Future research will examine associations by tumour characteristics.

Growth Hormone Receptor Regulation in Cancer and Chronic Diseases

The GHR signaling pathway plays important roles in growth, metabolism, cell cycle control, immunity, homeostatic processes, and chemoresistance via both the JAK/STAT and the SRC pathways. Dysregulation of GHR signaling is associated with various diseases and chronic conditions such as acromegaly, cancer, aging, metabolic disease, fibroses, inflammation and autoimmunity. Numerous studies entailing the GHR signaling pathway have been conducted for various cancers. Diverse factors mediate the up- or down-regulation of GHR signaling through post-translational modifications. Of the numerous modifications, ubiquitination and deubiquitination are prominent events. Ubiquitination by E3 ligase attaches ubiquitins to target proteins and induces proteasomal degradation or starts the sequence of events that leads to endocytosis and lysosomal degradation. In this review, we discuss the role of first line effectors that act directly on the GHR at the cell surface including ADAM17, JAK2, SRC family member Lyn, Ubc13/CHIP, proteasome, βTrCP, CK2, STAT5b, and SOCS2. Activity of all, except JAK2, Lyn and STAT5b, counteract GHR signaling. Loss of their function increases the GH-induced signaling in favor of aging and certain chronic diseases, exemplified by increased lung cancer risk in case of a mutation in the SOCS2-GHR interaction site. Insight in their roles in GHR signaling can be applied for cancer and other therapeutic strategies.

A nutrient-wide association study for risk of prostate cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition and the Netherlands Cohort Study

PURPOSE

The evidence from the literature regarding the association of dietary factors and risk of prostate cancer is inconclusive.

METHODS

A nutrient-wide association study was conducted to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the associations between 92 foods or nutrients and risk of prostate cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for total energy intake, smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, diabetes and education were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for standardized dietary intakes. As in genome-wide association studies, correction for multiple comparisons was applied using the false discovery rate (FDR < 5%) method and suggested results were replicated in an independent cohort, the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS).

RESULTS

A total of 5916 and 3842 incident cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed during a mean follow-up of 14 and 20 years in EPIC and NLCS, respectively. None of the dietary factors was associated with the risk of total prostate cancer in EPIC (minimum FDR-corrected P, 0.37). Null associations were also observed by disease stage, grade and fatality, except for positive associations observed for intake of dry cakes/biscuits with low-grade and butter with aggressive prostate cancer, respectively, out of which the intake of dry cakes/biscuits was replicated in the NLCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide little support for an association for the majority of the 92 examined dietary factors and risk of prostate cancer. The association of dry cakes/biscuits with low-grade prostate cancer warrants further replication given the scarcity in the literature.

Relationship of self-reported body size and shape with risk for prostate cancer: A UK case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Previous evidence has suggested a relationship between male self-reported body size and the risk of developing prostate cancer. In this UK-wide case-control study, we have explored the possible association of prostate cancer risk with male self-reported body size. We also investigated body shape as a surrogate marker for fat deposition around the body. As obesity and excessive adiposity have been linked with increased risk for developing a number of different cancers, further investigation of self-reported body size and shape and their potential relationship with prostate cancer was considered to be appropriate.

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to investigate whether underlying associations exist between prostate cancer risk and male self-reported body size and shape.

METHODS

Data were collected from a large case-control study of men (1928 cases and 2043 controls) using self-administered questionnaires. Data from self-reported pictograms of perceived body size relating to three decades of life (20's, 30's and 40's) were recorded and analysed, including the pattern of change. The associations of self-identified body shape with prostate cancer risk were also explored.

RESULTS

Self-reported body size for men in their 20's, 30's and 40's did not appear to be associated with prostate cancer risk. More than half of the subjects reported an increase in self-reported body size throughout these three decades of life. Furthermore, no association was observed between self-reported body size changes and prostate cancer risk. Using 'symmetrical' body shape as a reference group, subjects with an 'apple' shape showed a significant 27% reduction in risk (Odds ratio = 0.73, 95% C.I. 0.57-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Change in self-reported body size throughout early to mid-adulthood in males is not a significant risk factor for the development of prostate cancer. Body shape indicative of body fat distribution suggested that an 'apple' body shape was protective and inversely associated with prostate cancer risk when compared with 'symmetrical' shape. Further studies which investigate prostate cancer risk and possible relationships with genetic factors known to influence body shape may shed further light on any underlying associations.

Childhood Obesity and Cancer Risk in Adulthood

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to summarize our current understanding of the association between childhood obesity and cancer risk later in life.

RECENT FINDINGS

Adipose tissue secrets a variety of adipocytokines, and expression and/or secretion rate of most of them seems to be increased or dysregulated in obesity. In addition, obesity leads to increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which promotes an infiltration of inflammatory immune cells into adipose tissue. This process may facilitate a state of "subclinical inflammation" (metaflammation) and may lead to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), starting as early as during childhood. In addition, several oncogenes have been linked to inflammation and cancer development via different pathways, and several types of tumors need an inflammatory environment before a malignant change occurs. An inflammatory environment seems to promote the proliferation and survival of malignant cells as well as angiogenesis. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in this process, as they are able to kill transformed cells without prior sensitization and coordinate subsequent immune responses by producing distinct cytokines, thus providing antitumor immunity. First studies in children have suggested that NK cells from obese children are activated, metabolically stressed, and functionally deficient. This may lead to a suppression of antitumor immunity as early as during childhood, probably many years before the development of cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between higher body mass index (BMI) during childhood and adolescence and increased risk for several malignancies in adulthood, including leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Underlying mechanisms are not completely understood, but several adipocytokines and inflammatory markers including NK cells seem to be "key players" in this process.

Early-Life Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Long-term Risk of Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a period of rapid prostatic growth, yet is understudied for susceptibility for future risk of prostate cancer. We examined cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in late adolescence in relation to long-term prostate cancer risk.

METHODS

A population-based cohort study was conducted of all 699,125 Swedish military conscripts during 1972-1985 (97%-98% of 18-year-old men) in relation to risk of prostate cancer overall, aggressive prostate cancer, and prostate cancer mortality during 1998-2017 (ages 50-65 years). CRF was measured by maximal aerobic workload, and prostate cancer was ascertained using the National Prostate Cancer Register. Muscle strength was examined as a secondary predictor.

RESULTS

In 38.8 million person-years of follow-up, 10,782 (1.5%) men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Adjusting for sociodemographic factors, height, weight, and family history of prostate cancer, high CRF was associated with a slightly increased risk of any prostate cancer [highest vs. lowest quintile: incidence rate ratio (IRR), 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19; P = 0.008], but was neither significantly associated with aggressive prostate cancer (1.01; 0.85-1.21; P = 0.90) nor prostate cancer mortality (1.24; 0.73-2.13; P = 0.42). High muscle strength also was associated with a modestly increased risk of any prostate cancer (highest vs. lowest quintile: IRR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.23; P < 0.001), but neither with aggressive prostate cancer (0.88; 0.74-1.04; P = 0.14) nor prostate cancer mortality (0.81; 0.48-1.37; P = 0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

High CRF or muscle strength in late adolescence was associated with slightly increased future risk of prostate cancer, possibly related to increased screening, but neither with risk of aggressive prostate cancer nor prostate cancer mortality.

IMPACT

These findings illustrate the importance of distinguishing aggressive from indolent prostate cancer and assessing for potential detection bias.

Association of obesity status and metabolic syndrome with site-specific cancers: a population-based cohort study

Background

Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) appear in clusters and are both associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, it remains unknown whether obesity status with or without MetS increases the risk of site-specific cancers.

Methods

We used data derived from 390,575 individuals (37–73 years old) from the UK Biobank who were enrolled from 2006–2016 with a median of 7.8 years of follow-up. Obesity was defined by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and MetS was defined by the criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III). Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the associations of BMI and MetS with 22 cancers.

Results

Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) phenotypes represented 6.7% and 17.9% of the total analytic samples and 27.1% and 72.9% of the included subpopulation with obesity, respectively. Obesity was independently associated with higher risks of 10 of 22 cancers. Stratified by metabolic status, the MUO phenotype was consistently associated with 10 obesity-related cancers. In contrast, the MHO phenotype was only associated with increased risks of five cancers: endometrium, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas and postmenopausal breast cancers.

Conclusion

Even in metabolically healthy individuals, obesity was associated with increased risks of five cancers, whereas we did not find that these individuals were associated with increased risks of several other obesity-related cancers.

Height, body mass index and prostate cancer risk and mortality by way of detection and cancer risk category

Obesity is a risk factor for advanced, but not localised, prostate cancer (PCa), and for poor prognosis. However, the detection of localised PCa through asymptomatic screening might influence these associations. We investigated height and body mass index (BMI) among 431 902 men in five Swedish cohorts in relation to PCa risk, according to cancer risk category and detection mode, and PCa-specific mortality using Cox regression. Statistical tests were two-sided. Height was positively associated with localised intermediate-risk PCa (HR per 5 cm, 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05), while overweight and obesity were negatively associated with localised low- and intermediate-risk PCa (HRs per 5 kg/m² , 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.90, and 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.97). However, these associations were partially driven by PCa's detected by asymptomatic screening and, for height, also by symptoms unrelated to PCa. The HR of localised PCa's, per 5 kg/m² , was 0.88, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92 for screen-detected PCa's and 0.96, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.01 for PCa's detected through lower urinary tract symptoms. BMI was positively associated with PCa-specific mortality in the full population and in case-only analysis of each PCa risk category (HRs per 5 kg/m² , 1.11-1.22, P for heterogeneity = .14). More active health-seeking behaviour among tall and normal-weight men may partially explain their higher risk of localised PCa. The higher PCa-specific mortality among obese men across all PCa risk categories in our study suggests obesity as a potential target to improve the prognosis of obese PCa patients.

Assessment of expression levels of leptin and leptin receptor as potential biomarkers for risk of prostate cancer development and aggressiveness

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Despite the growing evidence associating obesity and adipokines, particularly leptin and its receptors, with cancer development and progression, it is still a debatable matter in PCa.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the role of leptin and its receptors as potential biomarkers for the risk of PCa development and aggressiveness.

Methods

In this study, 176 men were included and categorized according to an established histopathological diagnosis into three age‐ and BMI‐matched groups. The PCa group included 56 patients while the BPH group and the control group comprised 60 men each. Serum levels of total PSA (tPSA) were assessed by ELISA and mRNA expression levels of leptin and leptin receptors were assessed by RT‐PCR.

Results

Leptin and leptin receptor mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in PCa patients relative to BPH and to healthy control men. Both were overexpressed in PCa patients with aggressive and distantly metastasizing tumors compared to patients with confined tumors. Leptin receptor mRNA was an independent predictor of high Gleason score ≥ 7, distant metastasis, LN, and seminal vesicles invasion.

Conclusion

Leptin and its receptors are suggested to be potential biomarkers for PCa; leptin receptor mRNA might predict risk and aggressiveness of PCa.

Assessment of Periprostatic and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Adipocyte Size from Men with Localized Prostate Cancer

The prostate is surrounded by periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT), the thickness of which has been associated with more aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). There are limited data regarding the functional characteristics of PPAT, how it compares to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and whether in a setting of localized PCa, these traits are altered by obesity or disease aggressiveness. PPAT and SAT were collected from 60 men (age: 42–78 years, BMI: 21.3–35.6 kg/m²) undergoing total prostatectomy for PCa. Compared to SAT, adipocytes in PPAT were smaller, had the same basal rates of fatty acid release (lipolysis) yet released less polyunsaturated fatty acid species, and were more sensitive to isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. Basal lipolysis of PPAT was increased in men diagnosed with less aggressive PCa (Gleason score (GS) ≤ 3 + 4) compared to men with more aggressive PCa (GS ≥ 4 + 3) but no other measured adipocyte parameters related to PCa aggressiveness. Likewise, there was no difference in PPAT lipid biology between lean and obese men. In conclusion, lipid biological features of PPAT do differ from SAT; however, we did not observe any meaningful difference in ex vivo PPAT biology that is associated with PCa aggressiveness or obesity. As such, our findings do not support a relationship between altered PCa behavior in obese men and the metabolic reprogramming of PPAT.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the associations between body mass index, prostate cancer, advanced prostate cancer, and prostate-specific antigen

PURPOSE

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and prostate cancer remains unclear. However, there is an inverse association between BMI and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), used for prostate cancer screening. We conducted this review to estimate the associations between BMI and (1) prostate cancer, (2) advanced prostate cancer, and (3) PSA.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase for studies until 02 October 2017 and obtained individual participant data from four studies. In total, 78 studies were identified for the association between BMI and prostate cancer, 21 for BMI and advanced prostate cancer, and 35 for BMI and PSA. We performed random-effects meta-analysis of linear associations of log-PSA and prostate cancer with BMI and, to examine potential non-linearity, of associations between categories of BMI and each outcome.

RESULTS

In the meta-analyses with continuous BMI, a 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a percentage change in PSA of - 5.88% (95% CI - 6.87 to - 4.87). Using BMI categories, compared to normal weight men the PSA levels of overweight men were 3.43% lower (95% CI - 5.57 to - 1.23), and obese men were 12.9% lower (95% CI - 15.2 to - 10.7). Prostate cancer and advanced prostate cancer analyses showed little or no evidence associations.

CONCLUSION

There is little or no evidence of an association between BMI and risk of prostate cancer or advanced prostate cancer, and strong evidence of an inverse and non-linear association between BMI and PSA. The association between BMI and prostate cancer is likely biased if missed diagnoses are not considered.

Diet and Lifestyle in Prostate Cancer

A variety of diet and lifestyle factors have been studied with respect to prostate cancer risk in large, prospective cohort studies. In spite of this work, and in contrast to other common cancers, few modifiable risk factors have been firmly established as playing a role in prostate cancer. There are several possible explanations for the lack of well-established risk factors. First, prostate cancer has among the highest heritability of all common cancers; second, early life exposures may play an important role in risk, rather than mid- and later-life exposures assessed in most epidemiological studies. Finally, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening plays a critical role in prostate cancer detection and incidence rates, which has important implications for epidemiological studies.Among modifiable risk factors, smoking and obesity are consistently associated with higher risk specifically of advanced prostate cancer. There is also considerable evidence for a positive association between dairy intake and overall prostate cancer risk, and an inverse association between cooked tomato/lycopene intake and risk of advanced disease. Several other dietary factors consistently associated with risk in observational studies, including selenium and vitamin E, have been cast into doubt by results from clinical trials. Results for other well-studied dietary factors, including fat intake, red meat, fish, vitamin D, soy and phytoestrogens are mixed.In practical terms, men concerned with prostate cancer risk should be encouraged to stop smoking, be as physically active as possible, and achieve or maintain a healthy weight. These recommendations also have the advantage of having a positive impact on risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases. Reducing dairy intake while increasing consumption of fish and tomato products is also reasonable advice.

A jaboticaba extract prevents prostatic damage associated with aging and high-fat diet intake

Jaboticaba extract prevented the prostatic lesion development in aging and/or overweight mice, mainly interfering in cell proliferation, hormonal and angiogenesis pathways.

Intake of individual fatty acids and risk of prostate cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition

The associations of individual dietary fatty acids with prostate cancer risk have not been examined comprehensively. We examined the prospective association of individual dietary fatty acids with prostate cancer risk overall, by tumor subtypes, and prostate cancer death. 142,239 men from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition who were free from cancer at recruitment were included. Dietary intakes of individual fatty acids were estimated using center-specific validated dietary questionnaires at baseline and calibrated with 24-h recalls. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). After an average follow-up of 13.9 years, 7,036 prostate cancer cases and 936 prostate cancer deaths were ascertained. Intakes of individual fatty acids were not related to overall prostate cancer risk. There was evidence of heterogeneity in the association of some short chain saturated fatty acids with prostate cancer risk by tumor stage (pheterogeneity < 0.015), with a positive association with risk of advanced stage disease for butyric acid (4:0; HR1SD = 1.08; 95%CI = 1.01-1.15; p-trend = 0.026). There were no associations with fatal prostate cancer, with the exception of a slightly higher risk for those who consumed more eicosenoic acid (22:1n-9c; HR1SD = 1.05; 1.00-1.11; p-trend = 0.048) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3c; HR1SD = 1.07; 1.00-1.14; p-trend = 0.045). There was no evidence that dietary intakes of individual fatty acids were associated with overall prostate cancer risk. However, a higher intake of butyric acid might be associated with a higher risk of advanced, whereas intakes of eicosenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids might be positively associated with fatal prostate cancer risk.

Intake of dietary fibre, red and processed meat and risk of late-onset Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: A prospective Danish study on the "diet, cancer and health" cohort

Background: Human and animal studies support the involvement of diet in the development of CID -chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Objective: This cohort study aimed to investigate the association between intake of fibre, red and processed meat, and occurrence of late-onset CID (50+ years of age) in the DCH: Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. We hypothesised that risk of late-onset CID would be lower among those with high intake of fibre and/or low intake of meat compared to individuals with low fibre and/or high meat intake. Methods: The DCH recruited 56,468 individuals, aged 50-64 years, between 1993 and 1997. At recruitment, diet intake was registered using food frequency questionnaires as well as lifestyle factors in 56,075 persons. Exposure variables were generated as sex-adjusted tertiles of fibre and meat (g/day). Development of CIDs was identified in national registries. Hazard ratios (HR) of late-onset CIDs (adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, alcohol, smoking, education, comorbidity, and civil status) were estimated for all three exposure variables. Results: During follow-up of 1,123,754 years (median (Interquartile range) = 22.2 (20.1-23.1)), 1,758 (3.1%) participants developed at least one CID. The adjusted HRs for developing CID (low fibre 1.04 [0.89-1.22] and medium fibre 1.04 [0.91-1.18] (high fibre as reference), and medium meat 0.96 [0.86-1.09] and high meat 0.94 [0.82-1.07] (low meat as reference)) or the individual diseases were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This large study did not support that a high intake of fibre and/or a low intake of meat had a high impact on the risk of late-onset CID.

Measures of body fatness and height in early and mid-to-late adulthood and prostate cancer: risk and mortality in The Pooling Project of Prospective Studies of Diet and Cancer

BACKGROUND

Advanced prostate cancer etiology is poorly understood. Few studies have examined associations of anthropometric factors (e.g. early adulthood obesity) with advanced prostate cancer risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We carried out pooled analyses to examine associations between body fatness, height, and prostate cancer risk. Among 830 772 men, 51 734 incident prostate cancer cases were identified, including 4762 advanced (T4/N1/M1 or prostate cancer deaths) cases, 2915 advanced restricted (same as advanced, but excluding localized cancers that resulted in death) cases, 9489 high-grade cases, and 3027 prostate cancer deaths. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate study-specific hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); results were pooled using random effects models.

RESULTS

No statistically significant associations were observed for body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood for advanced, advanced restricted, and high-grade prostate cancer, and prostate cancer mortality. Positive associations were shown for BMI at baseline with advanced prostate cancer (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.95-1.78) and prostate cancer mortality (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12-2.07) comparing BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2 with 21-22.9 kg/m2. When considering early adulthood and baseline BMI together, a 27% higher prostate cancer mortality risk (95% CI = 9% to 49%) was observed for men with BMI <25.0 kg/m2 in early adulthood and BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 at baseline compared with BMI <25.0 kg/m2 in early adulthood and BMI <30.0 kg/m2 at baseline. Baseline waist circumference, comparing ≥110 cm with <90 cm, and waist-to-hip ratio, comparing ≥1.00 with <0.90, were associated with significant 14%-16% increases in high-grade prostate cancer risk and suggestive or significant 20%-39% increases in prostate cancer mortality risk. Height was associated with suggestive or significant 33%-56% risks of advanced or advanced restricted prostate cancer and prostate cancer mortality, comparing ≥1.90 m with <1.65 m.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that height and total and central adiposity in mid-to-later adulthood, but not early adulthood adiposity, are associated with risk of advanced forms of prostate cancer. Thus, maintenance of healthy weight may help prevent advanced prostate cancer.

The associations of anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors with circulating concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 in a pooled analysis of 16,024 men from 22 studies

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated in the aetiology of several cancers. To better understand whether anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors may play a role in cancer risk via IGF signalling, we examined the cross-sectional associations of these exposures with circulating concentrations of IGFs (IGF-I and IGF-II) and IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3). The Endogenous Hormones, Nutritional Biomarkers and Prostate Cancer Collaborative Group dataset includes individual participant data from 16,024 male controls (i.e. without prostate cancer) aged 22-89 years from 22 prospective studies. Geometric means of protein concentrations were estimated using analysis of variance, adjusted for relevant covariates. Older age was associated with higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3. Higher body mass index was associated with lower concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Taller height was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-1. Smokers had higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-3 than nonsmokers. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-II and lower concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-2. African Americans had lower concentrations of IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 and Hispanics had lower IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 than non-Hispanic whites. These findings indicate that a range of anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors are associated with circulating concentrations of IGFs and IGFBPs in men, which will lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which these factors influence cancer risk.

Clinical and metabolic implications of obesity in prostate cancer: is testosterone a missing link?

Objectives: To assess sex hormones in men with obesity and prostate cancer (PCa) and to study association between androgens and the pathogenesis biology of PCa in vitro. Subjects and methods: One hundred and eighty-one men older than 45 years selected from of a population attending to Urology departments screening for PCa, (78 participants without PCa and 103 patients with PCa). All participants were assessed for body mass index (BMI), age, Gleason score, and PSA. Endocrine profile was determined for LH, total testosterone (TT), 17β-estradiol (E2), prolactin and leptin. Biochemical profile (HbA1c, triacylglycerols and lipoproteins) was also determined. In vitro experiments were also performed, involving the study of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and E2 in the presence of adipocyte-conditioned medium (aCM). Results: All variables were continuous and described a Gaussian distribution unless mentioned. To determine the relation of aggressiveness, variable were transformed into categories. Thus, PCa aggressiveness is associated with the increase of age and BMI (p < .0001) but with is decreased with TT and E2 (p < .05). Moreover, adipocyte-secreted molecules increase aggressiveness of PCa cells in vitro. Lastly, DTH but not E2 enables invasiveness in vitro. Conclusions: It was observed a coexistence of hormone axis profile alteration with sex hormones and BMI in PCa patients, in accordance with the new perspective of PCa pathogenesis.

Sedentary Behavior and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, and sedentary behavior is widespread, yet reviews and meta-analyses summarizing the role of sedentary behavior as a potential risk factor for prostate cancer are scarce. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases for relevant articles up to January 2019. We pooled maximally adjusted risk estimates in a random effects model and performed meta-regression meta-analysis, assessed heterogeneity and publication bias using I², funnel plots, and Egger and Begg tests, and conducted sensitivity analyses and influence diagnostics. Data from 12 prospective cohort studies including a total of 30,810 prostate cancer cases were analyzed. We found no statistically significant association between high versus low sedentary behavior and prostate cancer incidence [RR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99-1.16; P = 0.10]. We noted that adjustment for body mass index (BMI) modified the relation of sedentary behavior to prostate cancer, particularly aggressive cancer. Sedentary behavior was related to a statistically significant increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer in analyses not adjusted for BMI (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.43), whereas no association was apparent in BMI-adjusted analyses (RR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.90-1.07), and the difference between those summary risk estimates was statistically significant (P _difference = 0.02). Sedentary behavior is not independently associated with prostate cancer. However, prolonged sedentary behavior may be related to increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer through a mechanism involving obesity. This finding represents a potentially important step toward considering sedentary behavior as a modifiable behavioral risk factor for aggressive prostate cancer.

Body Mass Index and prostatic-specific antigen are predictors of prostate cancer metastases in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors contributing to multiple lymph node invasion (LNI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) during robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

METHODS

A total of 211 patients who underwent RARP and ePNLD from June 2013 to March 2017 were classified according to lymph node status in the surgical specimen (absent, single or multiple). Risk factors of LNI were evaluated by the multinomial logistic regression model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess the efficacy of factors and model evaluation.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, the risk of multiple LNI, was independently increased by Body Mass Index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] 1.194; P=0.026) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (OR=1.089; P=0.014) when compared to patients without LNI. ROC curves indicated that both BMI (AUC=0.702) and PSA (AUC=0.732) had fair discrimination power. For each unit of increase in PSA, the odds of multiple lymph node invasion increased by 8.9% and for each unit increase of BMI, the odds of multiple LNI increased by 19.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of multiple LNI was independently predicted by PSA and BMI with fair discrimination power.