Vit E/selenium combo: no prostate cancer effect

The combination therapy of vitamin E, selenium and soy does not prevent the progression from high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to  prostate cancer, according to data presented at the annual meeting of  the American Urological Association.

Canadian researchers divided 303 men, with an average age of 62, into  two randomized groups. All the participants had HGPIN, a precursor to  invasive prostate cancer, as confirmed by a central pathology review in  at least one of two biopsies within 18 months prior to randomization.  The combination treatment was administered daily for three years, with  follow-up prostate biopsies at six, 12, 24 and 36 months.  Supplementation was discontinued if a man developed invasive disease.  26.4% of patients developed invasive prostate cancer. Baseline, age,  weight and testosterone levels did not predict the development of  cancer.

Christopher Amling, an AUA spokesman, said: "these studies highlight  the importance of conducting randomized trials of these agents since  many supplements are promoted falsely to the general public as having  beneficial effects on cancer prevention and progression."