A randomized controlled trial of metformin in women with components of metabolic syndrome: intervention feasibility and effects on adiposity and breast density.

PURPOSE: Obesity is a known risk factor for post-menopausal breast cancer and may increase risk for triple negative breast cancer in premenopausal women. Intervention strategies are clearly needed to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk. METHODS: We conducted a Phase II double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of metformin in overweight/obese premenopausal women with components of metabolic syndrome to assess the potential of metformin for primary breast cancer prevention. Eligible participants were randomized to receive metformin (850 mg BID, n = 76) or placebo (n = 75) for 12 months. Outcomes included breast density, assessed by fat/water MRI with change in percent breast density as the primary endpoint, anthropometric measures, and intervention feasibility. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent in the metformin arm and 83% in the placebo arm (p = 0.182) completed the 12-month intervention. Adherence to study agent was high with more than 80% of participants taking ≥ 80% assigned pills. The most common adverse events reported in the metformin arm were gastrointestinal in nature and subsided over time. Compared to placebo, metformin intervention led to a significant reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.019). Compared to placebo, metformin did not change percent breast density and dense breast volume but led to a numerical but not significant decrease in non-dense breast volume (p = 0.070). CONCLUSION: We conclude that metformin intervention resulted in favorable changes in anthropometric measures of adiposity and a borderline decrease in non-dense breast volume in women with metabolic dysregulation. More research is needed to understand the impact of metformin on breast cancer risk reduction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02028221. Registered January 7, 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02028221.

ERG overexpression and PTEN status predict capsular penetration in prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the combined effect of two common genetic alterations, ERG and PTEN, in prostate carcinoma progression. METHODS: Prostate tissue from 90 patients having unilateral capsular penetrating lesions, and a contra-lateral organ confined second lesion, were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expression of the TMPRSS2:ERG transformation product ERG and the loss of expression of PTEN, a powerful phosphatase inhibiting the PI3 kinase pathway. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to analyze the data. RESULTS: After adjusting for Gleason score, the odds of having capsular penetration were 5.19 times higher (P = 0.015) for ERG+/PTEN- group as compared to the wild type (ERG-/PTEN+). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first evidence that ERG over expression and PTEN deletion is associated with greater risk of capsular penetration. Although further studies are needed, these results have the potential to change clinical assessment for prostate cancer.

Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the effect of selenium supplementation in men at high-risk for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Se supplementation on prostate cancer incidence in men at high risk for prostate cancer. METHODS: A Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 699 men at high risk for prostate cancer (prostate specific antigen (PSA) >4 ng/ml and/or suspicious digital rectal examination and/or PSA velocity >0.75 ng/ml/year), but with a negative prostate biopsy. Participants were randomized to receive daily oral placebo (N = 232), 200 µg selenium (N = 234), or 400 µg selenium (N = 233) as selenized yeast. They were followed every 6 months for up to 5 years. The time to diagnosis of prostate cancer was compared between treatment groups using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULT: Compared to placebo, the hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals] for risk of developing prostate cancer in the selenium 200 µg/day or the selenium 400 µg/day group were 0.94 [0.52, 1.7] and 0.90 [0.48, 1.7], respectively. PSA velocity in the selenium arms was not significantly different from that observed in the placebo group (P = 0.18 and P = 0.17, respectively). CONCLUSION: Selenium supplementation appeared to have no effect on the incidence of prostate cancer in men at high risk. In conjunction with results of other studies, these data indicate that selenium supplementation may not have a role in prostate cancer chemoprevention.

Effect of aspirin, other NSAIDs, and statins on PSA and PSA velocity.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and statins have been associated with lower risk of prostate cancer and its progression, though results have been inconsistent. METHODS: Data from 140 men with prostate cancer enrolled in a Phase 2 clinical trial of selenium to prevent prostate cancer progression were analyzed to determine association between aspirin, other NSAIDs, or statin use with baseline serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and PSA velocity (rate of PSA change over time) using repeated measures over an average follow-up time of 3.2 years. Multiple linear regression and mixed effects models were used to model the association of medication use with PSA at baseline and with PSA velocity, respectively. RESULTS: Baseline PSA levels were significantly lower in aspirin users compared to non-users (5.17 ng/ml vs. 7.58 ng/ml, P = 0.001). This association was statistically significant in never smokers (aspirin users vs. non-users: 4.19 ng/ml vs. 8.24 ng/ml, P = 0.004) but not in ever smokers (aspirin users vs. non-users: 5.52 ng/ml vs. 7.3 ng/ml, P = 0.101). Statin and other NSAID use was not associated with baseline PSA. Aspirin, statin, or other NSAID use at baseline demonstrated a non-significant negative association with PSA velocity. CONCLUSION: These findings support an effect of aspirin use on PSA, particularly among never smokers. However, they do not suggest a protective effect on the disease and support previous findings that aspirin use may mask accurate measurement of PSA warranting consideration of washout procedures prior to testing.

Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity: A systematic review.

Increasing the amount of physical activity is an important strategy for weight loss. This systematic review summarizes recent findings on the effects of physical training on anthropometric characteristics, physical performances and physiological capacities in individuals with overweight and obesity. A systematic literature search strategy was conducted from inception until June 2019 using four electronic databases that identified 2,708 records. After screening for titles, abstracts and full texts, 116 studies were included in our final analysis. Both aerobic (e.g., endurance training) and anaerobic training (e.g., high-intensity training, resistance training) improved body composition and physical fitness indicators in adults, adolescents and children with obesity (effect size: 0.08 < d < 2.67, trivial to very large). This systematic review suggests that both low- and high-intensity training significantly reduced body weight and fat mass while increasing fat-free mass in individuals with obesity (effect size: 0.04

Role of secreted extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) in prostate cancer progression: Novel biomarker and therapeutic target.

BACKGROUND: There remains a serious need to prevent the progression of invasive prostate cancer (PCa). We previously showed that secreted extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) is a multifunctional innate immunity regulator via TLR4 ligation which has been implicated in PCa progression. Here we investigate the role of eNAMPT as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in the progression of PCa. METHODS: Tumor NAMPT expression and plasma eNAMPT level were evaluated in human subjects with various PCa tumor stages and high risk subjects followed-up clinically for PCa. The genetic regulation of NAMPT expression in PCa cells and the role of eNAMPT in PCa invasion were investigated utilizing in vitro and in vivo models. FINDINGS: Marked NAMPT expression was detected in human extraprostatic-invasive PCa tissues compared to minimal expression of organ-confined PCa. Plasma eNAMPT levels were significantly elevated in PCa subjects compared to male controls, and significantly greater in subjects with extraprostatic-invasive PCa compared to subjects with organ-confined PCa. Plasma eNAMPT levels showed significant predictive value for diagnosing PCa. NAMPT expression and eNAMPT secretion were highly upregulated in human PCa cells in response to hypoxia-inducible factors and EGF. In vitro cell culture and in vivo preclinical mouse model studies confirmed eNAMPT-mediated enhancement of PCa invasiveness into muscle tissues and dramatic attenuation of PCa invasion by weekly treatment with an eNAMPT-neutralizing polyclonal antibody. INTERPRETATION: This study suggests that eNAMPT is a potential biomarker for PCa, especially invasive PCa. Neutralization of eNAMPT may be an effective therapeutic approach to prevent PCa invasion and progression.

Chronic use of NSAIDs and/or statins does not affect PSA or PSA velocity in men at high risk for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: PSA and PSA velocity (PSAV, rate of PSA change over time) are biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. Men who are at high risk for prostate cancer also have associated comorbidities for which they are taking NSAIDs and statins for long periods; therefore, it is important to understand the effect of these medications on markers used to assess prostate cancer risk. METHODS: Using a population of 699 men, multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the associations between PSA and concomitant medications, and mixed-effects models were used to investigate these associations with PSAV. RESULTS: After adjusting for selenium use, age, race, body mass index, and pack-years of smoking, aspirin, other NSAIDs, or statins did not demonstrate statistically significant associations with PSA (P = 0.79, 0.68, and 0.79, respectively) or PSAV (P = 0.23, 0.43, and 0.84, respectively). Results were not altered upon stratifying the sample between men who developed prostate cancer during the course of the study and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that chronic use of aspirin, other NSAIDs, or statins did not affect PSA levels or PSAV in men at high risk for prostate cancer. Larger prospective studies designed to investigate these relationships are needed to confirm this result. IMPACT: Long-term use of NSAIDs or statins in men at high risk for prostate cancer may not interfere with the diagnosis or prognosis of this disease, and supports appropriate use of these medications with regard to prostate cancer risk.

Association of obesity and smoking with PSA and PSA velocity in men with prostate cancer.

Significant number of prostate tumors are slow growing and could probably be left untreated. However, many are aggressive and can spread rapidly causing patient suffering and/or death. Current technology does not allow physicians to differentiate between slow growing and aggressive tumors at diagnosis. Hence, many patients are exposed to invasive treatment and its associated morbidities such as incontinence and impotence. Markers that enable differentiation between slow and fast progressing cancer will allow physicians to prevent unnecessary treatments on men who may not need them, and focus on the men with aggressive disease. A longitudinal study was conducted (N = 140) using mixed effects regression models to determine the association of obesity and smoking toward prostate cancer progression. These models account for correlation because of repeated measures over time, thus, using maximum amount of information provided by the subject. Estimates thus obtained are more robust and reliable than those obtained using data from a single time point. Rate of change of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) over time (PSA velocity) was used as a measure of prostate cancer progression. Results indicate that PSA velocity of overweight and obese subjects (0.59 and 1.05 ng/mL/year) was not significantly different as compared with normal weight subjects (p values .91 and .31, respectively). For men in the highest tertile of pack-years of smoking, PSA velocity was significantly higher as compared with never smokers 1.57 ng/mL/year (p = .04). Further studies with larger sample sizes and study designs specific to above exposures are needed before recommendations can be made to reduce weight or reduce/quit smoking.

No effect of selenium supplementation on serum glucose levels in men with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Literature indicates a relationship between selenium supplementation and risk of diabetes. However, because these data are inconclusive, we investigated the effect of selenium supplementation on serum glucose levels in men with prostate cancer enrolled in a clinical trial testing of the effect of selenium on prostate cancer progression. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to receive placebo (n=46), selenium 200 microg/day (n=47), and selenium 800 microg/day (n=47). Serum glucose levels were obtained every 6 months for up to 5 years. Longitudinal analysis was carried out to assess whether rate of change of serum glucose levels was significantly different in the selenium-supplemented groups as compared with placebo. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of findings. RESULTS: Changes in serum glucose levels during the course of the trial were not statistically significantly different as compared with placebo for the selenium 200 microg/day (P=.56) or selenium 800 microg/day (P=.91) treatment groups. CONCLUSION: These results do not support a relationship between selenium supplementation and changes in serum glucose levels. Recommendations about selenium supplementation and risk of diabetes will require more definitive studies.

Oral selenium supplementation has no effect on prostate-specific antigen velocity in men undergoing active surveillance for localized prostate cancer.

The Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial showed a 52% lower incidence of prostate cancer in men supplemented with selenium. As a result, our study was designed to assess whether selenium supplementation attenuates the progression of prostate cancer. A phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in men with localized nonmetastatic prostate cancer who had elected to forgo active treatment and be followed by active surveillance. A total of 140 men were randomized to placebo (n = 46), 200 microg/d (n = 47), or 800 microg/d (n = 47) selenium p.o. (as selenized yeast) and followed every 3 months for up to 5 years. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity was used as a marker of prostate cancer progression and was estimated using mixed-effects regression. Adjusting for age, body mass index, baseline selenium, smoking, baseline PSA, race, PSA method, and Gleason score, PSA velocities for the 200 microg/d and 800 microg/d treatment groups were not statistically significantly different from placebo (P = 0.32 and P = 0.61, respectively). In the highest quartile of baseline selenium, men supplemented with 800 microg selenium showed statistically significantly higher PSA velocity as compared with placebo (P = 0.018). Selenium supplementation did not show a protective effect on PSA velocity in subjects with localized prostate cancer. On the contrary, supplementation with high-dose selenium was observed to be a risk factor for increased PSA velocity in men with high baseline plasma selenium concentrations.

The effect of obesity on quality-of-life improvement after total knee arthroplasty.

Obesity has been consistently implicated as a major risk factor in the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), and total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has emerged as one of the most efficacious and cost-effective OA treatments. The effectiveness of this treatment manifests itself in both clinical and quality of life (QOL) measures. Given the interrelatedness of obesity and OA, and given the success of TJA in improving QOL, we conducted a study to determine whether obesity would adversely affect QOL improvement in 50 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty for primary knee OA. Our results show that, 6 months after surgery, QOL measures improved more for obese patients than for overweight patients and patients with ideal body weight.