Evaluation of environmental risk factors for prostate cancer in a population of Iranian patients

Determinants of residential greenness and its association with prostate cancer risk: A case-control study in Singapore

BACKGROUND

Exposure to greenness has been shown to be beneficial to health, but few studies have examined the association between residential greenness and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. Our main objectives were to identify the determinants of residential greenness, and to investigate if residential greenness was associated with PCa risk in Singapore.

METHODS

The hospital-based case-control study was conducted between April 2007 and May 2009. The Singapore Prostate Cancer Study (SPCS) comprised 240 prostate cancer cases and 268 controls, whose demographics and residential address were collected using questionnaires. Residential greenness was measured by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) around the participants' homes using a buffer size of 1 km. Determinants of NDVI were identified using a multivariable linear regression model. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of associations between NDVI and PCa risk, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Having a BMI within the second quartile, as compared to the lowest quartile, was associated with higher levels of NDVI (β-coefficient = 0.263; 95% CI = 0.040-0.485) after adjusting for covariates. Additionally, being widowed or separated, as compared to being married, was associated with lower levels of NDVI (β-coefficient = -0.393; 95% CI = -0.723, -0.063). An interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI was positively associated with prostate cancer risk OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.02-2.07). Stratified analysis by tumour grade and stage showed that higher NDVI was associated with higher risk of low grade PCa.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that residential greenness was associated with higher risk of PCa in Singapore. Future studies on the quality and type of green spaces, as well as other factors of residential greenness, in association with PCa risk should be conducted to better understand this relationship.

Curcumin: Overview of Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Encapsulation and Delivery Using Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Due to its therapeutic action against cancer, depression, diabetes, some bacteria, and oxidative stress, it has been used widely in medicine since ancient times. Due to its low solubility, the human organism cannot completely absorb it. Advanced extraction technologies, followed by encapsulation in microemulsion and nanoemulsion systems, are currently being used to improve bioavailability. This review discusses the different methods available for curcumin extraction from plant material, methods for the identification of curcumin in the resulting extracts, its beneficial effects on human health, and the encapsulation techniques into small colloidal systems that have been used over the past decade to deliver this compound.

Air pollution and molecular changes in age-related diseases

Assessment of the impact that air contaminants have on health is difficult as this is a complex mixture of substances that varies depending on the time and place. There are many studies on the association between air pollution and increased morbidity and mortality. Before the effect of polluted air is manifested at the level of the organs, an impact can be observed at the molecular level. These include some new biomarkers, like a shortening of the mean telomere length in DNA, dysregulation of gene expression caused by microRNA levels or a variation in the copy number of mitochondrial DNA. These changes may predispose individuals to premature development of age-related diseases and consequently to shortening of life. The common attribute, shared by changes at the molecular level and the development of diseases, is the presence of oxidative stress.

A screening of growth inhibitory activity of Iranian medicinal plants on prostate cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer has been known as one of the most common malignancy in the men and it is therefore very important to prevent and treat this cancer. In this study, the anticancer effects of 20 species of medicinal plants in Iran, especially those grown in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, were investigated on prostate cancer cell lines to identify potential natural alternatives for the development of prostate cancer anticancer drugs.

METHODS

The plants were gathered from Chaharmahal va Bakhtyari and their aerial parts extracted through maceration method using ethanol 70%. Anti-proliferative activity of extracts on PC-3, DU145 and HDF cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay 48 hours after treatment.

RESULTS

Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey. and Achillea wilhelmsii had anti-proliferative activity more than other plants on PC-3. Also IC50s for Urtica dioica, Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey. and Medicago sativa were lower amount among the examined plants on Du-145.

CONCLUSION

According to our result, Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey., U. dioica and Medicago sativa with good anti-proliferative activity can serve as an effective source of natural products to develop new antiprostate cancer drugs.

Latest Evidence on the Impact of Smoking, Sports, and Sexual Activity as Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Incidence, Recurrence, and Progression: A Systematic Review of the Literature by the European Association of Urology Section of Oncological Urology (ESOU)

CONTEXT

Smoking, sexual activity, and physical activity (PA) are discussed as modifiable lifestyle factors associated with prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the available evidence concerning the association of smoking, sexual activity, and sports and exercise on PCa risk, treatment outcome, progression, and cancer-specific mortality.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of studies published between 2007 and 2017 using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement criteria was conducted.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

While data concerning the impact of smoking on PCa development remain conflicting, there is robust evidence that smoking is associated with aggressive tumor features and worse cancer-related outcome, which seems to be maintained for 10 yr after smoking cessation. Less convincing and limited evidence exists for the association of sexual activity with PCa risk. The findings related to PA and PCa support the inference that exercise might be a useful factor in the prevention of PCa and tumor progression, while it is not finally proved under which specific conditions PA might be protective against disease development.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is associated with aggressive tumor features and worse cancer-related prognosis; as this negative impact seems to be maintained for 10yr after smoking cessation, urologists should advise men to quit smoking latest at PCa diagnosis to improve their prognosis. As several studies indicate a positive impact of exercise on tumor development, progression, and treatment outcome, it is certainly reasonable to advocate an active lifestyle. Least convincing evidence is available for the interaction of sexual activity and PCa, and well-conducted and longitudinal studies are clearly necessary to evaluate whether the suggested associations between PCa risk and sexual behavior are real or spurious.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this systematic review, we looked at the impact of smoking, sexual activity, and sports and exercise on prostate cancer risk and outcome after treatment. While the evidence for sexual activity is not overall clear, we found that smoking might lead to more aggressive cancers and result in worse treatment outcome. Physical activity might prevent prostate cancer and improve cancer-related outcomes as well. Hence, it is certainly reasonable to advocate an active lifestyle and advise men to quit smoking.

Prevalence and factors associated with the performance of prostate cancer screening in the elderly: a population-based study

Abstract Objective: to identify the prevalence and factors associated with preventive examinations for the screening of prostate cancer in the elderly. Methods: a cross-sectional population-based study of 181 men aged ≥60 years who were residents of a small city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was carried out. The dependent variable was considered to be the performance of preventive prostate cancer tests in the past two years and the independent variables were those related to health and sociodemographic characteristics. To test the association between the outcome and the independent variables, gross and multivariable analysis using Poisson regression was performed, estimating the gross and adjusted prevalence ratios, calculating the confidence intervals of 95%. All variables with p≤0.20 were included in the multiple model. Results: the prevalence of preventive examinations for prostate cancer was 89%. The tests used were the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) (85.7%), followed by tests performed in combination: rectal examination and PSA (9.3%), rectal examination, ultrasound and PSA (3.1%), rectal examination and ultrasound (1.3%) and ultrasound and PSA (0.6%). In multivariate analysis, the variables retirement and marital status were the independent factors associated with the carrying out of at least one preventive examination of the prostate. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that being retired increases the likelihood of carrying out preventive examinations and having a partner, being married or cohabiting increases the likelihood of undergoing tests.

Nimbolide-Induced Oxidative Stress Abrogates STAT3 Signaling Cascade and Inhibits Tumor Growth in Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate Model

AIMS

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Currently available therapies for metastatic PCa are only marginally effective, hence novel treatment modalities are urgently required. Considerable evidence(s) suggest that deregulated activation of oncogenic transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of PCa. Thus, agents that can abrogate STAT3 activation could form the basis of novel therapy for PCa patients. In the present study, we analyzed whether the potential anticancer effects of nimbolide (NL), a limonoid triterpene derived from Azadirachta indica, against PCa cell lines and transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model are mediated through the negative regulation of STAT3 pathway.

RESULTS

Data from the in vitro studies indicated that NL could significantly inhibit cell viability, induce apoptosis, and suppress cellular invasion and migration. Interestingly, NL also abrogated STAT3 activation and this effect was found to be mediated via an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to GSH/GSSG imbalance. Oral administration of NL significantly suppressed the tumor growth and metastasis in TRAMP mouse model without exhibiting any significant adverse effects.

INNOVATION

The present study demonstrates the critical role of GSH/GSSG imbalance-mediated ROS production contributing to the STAT3 inhibitory and tumor-suppressive effect of NL in PCa.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings indicate that NL exhibits significant anticancer effects in PCa that may be primarily mediated through the ROS-regulated inhibition of STAT3 signaling cascade.