The Wall of Remembrance
Father? Husband?
Son? Best mate?
You can remember a friend or relative on this site by adding your message to our unique Wall of Remembrance
Click here to contribute.
Prostate cancer worries?
Concerned about prostate cancer?
An overview of the disease, symptoms, tests and related useful information.
Helping the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation
Make a donation to the William Franklyn Memorial Fund.
Information on how to help the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, including donating online, organising your own events and leaving a legacy.
New Research Funded by the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation
Spring 2007
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase II trial of selenium supplementation in men with localised prostate cancer on active surveillance
Dr Christopher Parker (Institute of Cancer Research) and Dr Margaret Rayman (University of Surrey)
Dr Chris Parker at the Institute of Cancer Research
Background
Active surveillance is an approach to the managment of early prostate cancer, in which the choice beteeen curative treatment and observation is based on evidence of disease progression during a period of close monitoring. Active surveillance provides an opportunity to test low-toxicity interventions, such as selenium, that are designed to slow the rate of disease progression (ie tertiary prevention)
A total of eight large prospective studies of selenium status and prostate cancer have been published. Seven of these show a reduced risk of prostate cancer for the highest versus lowest category of selenium status. In a number of these studies, the protective effect of selenium was stronger for advanced rather than for localised disease, suggesting a more marked effect on prostate cancer progression rather than initiation.
Intake of selenium in the UK has fallen in recent years and now stands at around half the UK government's recommended value (Reference Nutrient Intake) of 75 μg/d for men.
Aim
To study the effect of selenium supplemnets on markers of prostate cancer cell proliferation and progression in men on active surveillance for localised prostate cancer.
Trial Design
Sixy perticipants with localised prostate cance on active surveillance will be randomized to one of three treamtnet groups (i) 200 μg/day selenium, (ii) 300 μg/day selenium or (iii) placebo. Supplementation will continue for 10 months. Patients will be monitored with two-monthly PSA tests, and with an end-of-study prostate biopsy. Markers of prostate cancer cell proliferation and progression in the end-of study biopsy samples will be compared between the placebo group and each of the intervention groups.
Project commenced
March 2007
Length of project
2 years
Amount Supported
£53,414
