The use of dietary supplements to alleviate androgen deprivation therapy side effects during prostate cancer treatment.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential of phytoestrogens, among other dietary supplements, to alleviate adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer patients.
Results Summary
The abstract mentions phytoestrogens as a promising supplement but notes that large-scale clinical trials are lacking, making efficacy difficult to assess. No specific results for phytoestrogens are detailed.
Population
Prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium and Vitamin D | decrease | osteoporosis | patients during ADT | - | can prevent the development | #1 |
selenium (Se) | increase | type 2 diabetes mellitus | - | - | association with | #2 |
Vitamin E | increase | PCa tumor development | - | - | association with | #3 |
Prostate cancer (PCa), the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of male cancer death in Western societies, is typically androgen-dependent, a characteristic that underlies the rationale of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Approximately 90% of patients initially respond to ADT strategies, however many experience side effects including hot flashes, cardiotoxicity, metabolic and musculoskeletal alterations. This review summarizes pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating the ability of dietary supplements to alleviate adverse effects arising from ADT. In particular, we focus on herbal compounds, phytoestrogens, selenium (Se), fatty acids (FA), calcium, and Vitamins D and E. Indeed, there is some evidence that calcium and Vitamin D can prevent the development of osteoporosis during ADT. On the other hand, caution should be taken with the antioxidants Se and Vitamin E until the basis underlying their respective association with type 2 diabetes mellitus and PCa tumor development has been clarified. However, many other promising supplements have not yet been subjected large-scale clinical trials making it difficult to assess their efficacy. Given the demographic trend of increased PCa diagnoses and dependence on ADT as a major therapeutic strategy, further studies are required to objectively evaluate these supplements as adjuvant for PCa patients receiving ADT.