Low Serum Testosterone in Men with Newly Diagnosed Androgen-Deprivation Therapy-Naïve Prostate Cancer and Its Relationship to Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A RADICAL-PC Substudy.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death in prostate cancer patients. Low testosterone is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the general male population. We investigated the relationship between serum testosterone, cardiovascular disease and risk factors in androgen-deprivation therapy-naïve prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a subgroup of 1,326 androgen-deprivation therapy-naïve men from RADICAL-PC (Role of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy In CArdiovascular Disease-A Longitudinal Prostate Cancer study) in whom serum testosterone was measured at baseline. RADICAL-PC is a prospective multicenter cohort study of men (2,565) enrolled within 1 year of prostate cancer diagnosis, or within 6 months of commencing androgen-deprivation therapy for the first time. Cardiovascular risk factors, cancer characteristics and total serum testosterone were collected at baseline. Low testosterone was defined as total serum testosterone <11 nmol/L (<320 ng/dL). A Framingham cardiovascular risk score ≥15 was considered high risk for future cardiovascular events. We performed logistic regression to calculate odds ratios for the association between testosterone and cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Among 1,326 participants (median age 67 years, range 45-93), 553 (42%) had low testosterone. Low testosterone was associated with existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, elevated hemoglobin A1c, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension and Framingham score >15. Among patients with low testosterone, the odds ratio for high cardiovascular risk was 1.33 (1.02-1.73) after adjusting for ethnicity, education, alcohol use, cancer characteristics, physical activity and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Among androgen-deprivation therapy-naïve prostate cancer patients, low testosterone is common and associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors.

A glycan-based plasmonic sensor for prostate cancer diagnosis.

Prostate cancer affects thousands of men who undergo clinical screening tests every year. The main biomarker used for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen (PSA), presents limitations that justify investigating new biomarkers to improve reliability. Antibodies against the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (Tn), or TACA, develop early in carcinogenesis, making them an interesting alternative as a target for prostate cancer diagnostics. In this work, the Tn antigen was synthesized and immobilized on a surface plasmon resonance sensor coated with a polydopamine/polyethylene oxide mixed layer used both as an anchoring surface for Tn capture moieties and to minimize surface fouling. The sensor could be regenerated and reused at least 60 times without any significant loss in sensitivity. Anti-Tn antibodies were detected in the 0-10 nM concentration range with detection limits of 0.1 and 0.3 nM in spiked buffer solutions and diluted human blood serum samples, respectively. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, this carbohydrate-based sensor was used to successfully discriminate blood serum samples from prostate cancer-free and prostate cancer patients.

Cardiovascular Risk in Men with Prostate Cancer: Insights from the RADICAL PC Study.

PURPOSE: We describe the cardiovascular risk profile in a representative cohort of patients with prostate cancer treated with or without androgen deprivation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively characterized in detail 2,492 consecutive men (mean age 68 years) with prostate cancer (newly diagnosed or with a plan to prescribe androgen deprivation therapy for the first time) from 16 Canadian sites. Cardiovascular risk was estimated by calculating Framingham risk scores. RESULTS: Most men (92%) had new prostate cancer (intermediate risk 41%, high risk 50%). The highest level of education achieved was primary school in 12%. Most (58%) were current or former smokers, 22% had known cardiovascular disease, 16% diabetes, 45% hypertension, 31% body mass index 30 kg/m2 or greater, 24% low levels of physical activity, mean handgrip strength was 37.3 kg and 69% had a Framingham risk score consistent with high cardiovascular risk. Participants in whom androgen deprivation therapy was planned had higher Framingham risk scores than those not intending to receive androgen deprivation therapy, and this risk was abolished after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of men with prostate cancer are at high cardiovascular risk. There is a positive association between a plan to use androgen deprivation therapy and baseline cardiovascular risk factors. However, this association is explained by confounding factors.

Omega-3 fatty acids decrease prostate cancer progression associated with an anti-tumor immune response in eugonadal and castrated mice.

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest effects of dietary fat on prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. Targeting omega (ω)-3:ω6 fatty acids (FA) ratio could be beneficial against PCa by favorably modulating inflammation. Here, we studied the effects of ω3- and ω6-enriched diets on prostate tumor growth and inflammatory response in androgen-deprived and non-deprived conditions. METHODS: Immune-competent eugonadal and castrated C57BL/6 mice were injected with TRAMP-C2 prostate tumor cells and daily fed with ω3- or ω6-enriched diet. FA and cytokine profiles were measured in blood and tumors using gas chromatography and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. Immune cell infiltration in tumors was profiled by multicolor flow cytometry. RESULTS: ω3-enriched diet decreased prostate TRAMP-C2 tumor growth in immune-competent eugonadal and castrated mice. Cytokines associated with Th1 immune response (IL-12 [p70], IFN-γ, GM-CSF) and eosinophil recruitment (eotaxin-1, IL-5, and IL-13) were significantly elevated in tumors of ω3-fed mice. Using in vitro experiments, we confirmed ω3 FA-induced eotaxin-1 secretion by tumor cells and that eotaxin-1 secretion was regulated by androgens. Analysis of immune cell infiltrating tumors showed no major difference of immune cells' abundance between ω3- and ω6-enriched diets. CONCLUSIONS: ω3-enriched diet reduces prostate tumor growth independently of androgen levels. ω3 FA can inhibit tumor cell growth and induce a local anti-tumor inflammatory response. These findings warrant further examination of dietary ω3's potential to slow down the progression of androgen-sensitive and castrate-resistant PCa by modulating immune cell function in tumors.

Effects of concentrated long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation before radical prostatectomy on prostate cancer proliferation, inflammation, and quality of life: study protocol for a phase IIb, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in north-American men. Few dietary or lifestyle interventions have been tested to prevent prostate cancer progression. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation represents a promising intervention for prostate cancer patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3), more precisely eicosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-EPA) supplementation, on prostate cancer proliferation, inflammation mediators and quality of life among men who will undergo radical prostatectomy. METHODS/DESIGN: We propose a phase IIb, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of MAG-EPA supplementation for 130 men who will undergo radical prostatectomy as treatment for a prostate cancer of Gleason score ≥ 7 in an academic cancer center in Quebec City. Participants will be randomized to 6 capsules of 625 mg of fish oil (MAG-EPA) per capsule containing 500 mg of EPA daily or to identically looking capsules of high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO) as placebo. The intervention begins 4 to 10 weeks prior to radical prostatectomy (baseline) and continues for one year after surgery. The primary endpoint is the proliferative index (Ki-67) measured in prostate cancer cells at radical prostatectomy. A secondary endpoint includes prostate tissue levels of inflammatory mediators (cytokines and proteins) at time of radical prostatectomy. Changes in blood levels of inflammatory mediators, relative to baseline levels, at time of radical prostatectomy and 12 months after radical prostatectomy will also be evaluated. Secondary endpoints also include important aspects of psychosocial functioning and quality of life such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive complaints and prostate cancer-specific quality of life domains. The changes in these outcomes, relative to baseline levels, will be evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after radical prostatectomy. DISCUSSION: The results from this trial will provide crucial information to clarify the role of omega-3 supplementation on prostate cancer proliferation, inflammation and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02333435. Registered on December 17, 2014. Last updated September 6, 2016.

Prognostic value of urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) during active surveillance of patients with low-risk prostate cancer receiving 5α-reductase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical performance of the urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) test to predict the risk of Gleason grade re-classification amongst men receiving a 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) during active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with low-risk prostate cancer were enrolled in a prospective Phase II study of AS complemented with prescription of a 5ARI. A repeat biopsy was taken within the first year and annually according to physician and patient preference. In all, 90 patients had urine collected after digital rectal examination of the prostate before the first repeat biopsy. The PCA3 test was performed in a blinded manner at a central laboratory. RESULTS: Using a PCA3-test score threshold of 35, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the risk of being diagnosed with Gleason ≥7 cancer during a median of 7 years of follow-up. Adjusted Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses also showed a significantly higher risk of upgrading to Gleason ≥7 during follow-up for those with a higher PCA3-test score. CONCLUSION: The urinary PCA3 test predicted Gleason grade re-classification amongst patients receiving a 5ARI during AS for low-risk prostate cancer.

Prospective Evaluation of Nutritional Factors to Predict the Risk of Complications for Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: A Cohort Study.

The objective of this study was to identify nutritional preoperative factors associated with complications after radical cystectomy (RC). We prospectively evaluated the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Score, body mass index (BMI), appetite, stool frequency, hydration, food intake, weight loss, albuminemia, and prealbuminemia of 144 patients who underwent RC between January 2011 and April 2014. Postoperative complications were defined as any adverse event reported in the patient's file up to 90 days after surgery. Each complication was classified according to the Clavien-Dindo and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center systems. The adjusted relative risk (RR) computed through a Poisson regression model was used to identify nutritional risk factors associated with post-RC complications. A high BMI >27 kg/m2 was associated with higher risk of low-grade complications (RR:1.47 [95% CI,1.09-2.00]) at 7 days and a four-fold increased risk of cardiac complications at 7 and 90 days (RR:3.77 [1.15-12.32] and RR:3.28 [1.35-7.98]). Decreased appetite was associated with low-grade (RR:1.43 [1.03-1.99] complications within 90 days. Preoperative weight loss >3 kg was associated with high-grade (RR:2.49 [1.23-5.05]) and wound (RR:2.51 [1.23-5.10]) complications within 90 days. This study showed that preoperative nutritional status of patients may predict the occurrence of complications up to 90 days post-RC. Development of preoperative nutritional interventions may reduce the deleterious impact of RC on patients' health.

Assessing Cancer Risk on Novel 29 MHz Micro-Ultrasound Images of the Prostate: Creation of the Micro-Ultrasound Protocol for Prostate Risk Identification.

PURPOSE: Conventional ultrasound systems operate at 6 to 9 MHz and serve as the standard of care to guide prostate biopsies. We present a protocol using a novel high resolution (29 MHz) transrectal prostate micro-ultrasound system. This protocol includes a scoring system to assess the risk of prostatic carcinoma and enable real-time targeted biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ExactVu™ system is currently being used in a multisite, 2,000-patient, randomized clinical trial. Cine loops of 400 biopsies from this trial were used to create the PRI-MUS™ (prostate risk identification using micro-ultrasound) protocol and risk scale. Validation was performed in an independent, pathology blinded set of 100 cines. Three of the 5 investigators performing this validation were familiar with micro-ultrasound but naïve to the PRI-MUS protocol and they received only 1 hour of training. RESULTS: Each increase in risk score demonstrated a 10.1% increase (95% CI 9.3-10.8) in the probability of clinically significant cancer. The risk score also increased with Gleason sum and cancer length with a slope of 0.15 (95% CI 0.09-0.21) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.43-0.73), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 37%, respectively, and the mean ± SD ROC AUC was 60% ± 2%. The protocol was more accurate for detecting high grade disease (Gleason sum greater than 7) with a peak AUC of 74% (mean 66%). CONCLUSIONS: The new resolution of the micro-ultrasound platform paired with the PRI-MUS protocol shows promise for real-time visualization of suspicious lesions and targeting of biopsies. The improved performance of the protocol in more significant disease is consistent with the focus of the field on decreasing insignificant diagnoses and detecting high risk disease early.

Diagnostic performance of ultrasound for macroscopic hematuria in the era of multidetector computed tomography urography.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound for detecting urinary tract neoplasm in the setting of macroscopic hematuria by using multidetector computed tomography urography (MDCTU) and cystoscopy as the reference standard. METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board. Patients with macroscopic hematuria who were investigated with an abdominal or renal ultrasound, an MDCTU, and a cystoscopy between January 2007 and December 2009, were eligible (95 patients). Exclusion criteria were time interval >12 months between index and reference tests or the absence of histopathologic proof of malignancy. Ultrasound results of the remaining 86 patients were collected and compared with the reference standard test, which was the combination of MDCTU for the assessment of upper urinary tract and cystoscopy for assessment of the lower urinary tract. The final diagnosis of neoplasm was based on pathologic findings. RESULTS: Urinary tract neoplasm was diagnosed in 20% of the patients (17/86). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of ultrasound for detecting urinary tract neoplasms were 35.3% (6/17), 89.9% (62/69), 46.2% (6/13), 84.9% (62/73), 3.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.34-9.02), and 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.5-1.3), respectively. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of ultrasound for the evaluation of macroscopic hematuria in the era of MDCTU is lower than expected. Results of our study suggest that patients with macroscopic hematuria should undergo MDCTU as first-line imaging modality, with little added benefit from ultrasound.

Salvage therapy for BCG failure with intravesical sequential gemcitabine and docetaxel in patients with recurrent NMIBC.

INTRODUCTION: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) failure occurs in approximately 40% of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) within two years. We describe our institutional experience with sequential intravesical gemcitabine and docetaxel (gem/doce) as salvage therapy post-BCG failure in patients who were not candidates for or declined radical cystectomy (RC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed NMIBC patients with BCG failure who received gem/doce from April 2019 through October 2022 at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval. Patients received at least five weekly intravesical instillations according to published protocols. Patients who responded to gem/doce had maintenance instillations monthly for up to two years. Primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes included recurrence-free survival (RFS), cystectomy-free survival (CFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and treatment adverse events. Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method from the first gem/doce instillation. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with a median age of 78 years old were included in the study. The median followup time was 21 months (interquartile range 10-29). More than 25% of patients received two or more prior BCG induction treatments. Overall and MIBC PFS estimates at one year were 85% and 88%, and at two years, 60% and 70%, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 37% of the patients, but only two patients didn't complete the treatment due to intolerance. Three patients underwent RC due to cancer progression. OS was 94% at two years. CONCLUSIONS: With 60% of PFS at two years, gem/doce appears to be a safe and well-tolerated option for BCG failure patients. Further studies are needed to justify widespread use.

Regulatory and memory T lymphocytes infiltrating prostate tumors predict long term clinical outcomes.

Introduction: The localization, density but mostly the phenotype of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) provide important information on the initial interaction between the host immune system and the tumor. Our objective was to assess the prognostic significance of T (CD3+), T regulatory (Treg) (FoxP3+) and T memory (Tmem) (CD45RO+) infiltrating lymphocytes and of genes associated with TIL in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess the infiltration of CD3+, FoxP3+ and CD45RO+ cells in the tumor area, tumor margin and adjacent normal-like epithelium of a series of 98 PCa samples with long clinical follow-up. Expression of a panel of 31 TIL-associated genes was analyzed by Taqman Low-Density Array (TLDA) technology in another series of 50 tumors with long clinical follow-up. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to determine association of these markers with biochemical recurrence (BCR), need for definitive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or lethal PCa. Results: TIL subtypes were present at different densities in the tumor, tumor margin and adjacent normal-like epithelium, but their density and phenotype in the tumor area were the most predictive of clinical outcomes. In multivariate analyses, a high density of Treg (high FoxP3+/CD3+ cell ratio) predicted a higher risk for need of definitive ADT (HR=7.69, p=0.001) and lethal PCa (HR=4.37, p=0.04). Conversely, a high density of Tmem (high CD45RO+/CD3+ cell ratio) predicted a reduced risk of lethal PCa (HR=0.06, p=0.04). TLDA analyses showed that a high expression of FoxP3 was associated with a higher risk of lethal PCa (HR=5.26, p=0.02). Expression of CTLA-4, PD-1, TIM-3 and LAG-3 were correlated with that of FoxP3. Amongst these, only a high expression of TIM-3 was associated with a significant higher risk for definitive ADT in univariate Cox regression analysis (HR=3.11, p=0.01). Conclusion: These results show that the proportion of Treg and Tmem found within the tumor area is a strong and independent predictor of late systemic progression of PCa. Our results also suggest that inhibition of TIM-3 might be a potential approach to counter the immunosuppressive functions of Treg in order to improve the anti-tumor immune response against PCa.

The gut microbiome-prostate cancer crosstalk is modulated by dietary polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

The gut microbiota modulates response to hormonal treatments in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, but whether it influences PCa progression remains unknown. Here, we show a reduction in fecal microbiota alpha-diversity correlating with increase tumour burden in two distinct groups of hormonotherapy naïve PCa patients and three murine PCa models. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from patients with high PCa volume is sufficient to stimulate the growth of mouse PCa revealing the existence of a gut microbiome-cancer crosstalk. Analysis of gut microbial-related pathways in mice with aggressive PCa identifies three enzymes responsible for the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Supplementation with LCFA omega-3 MAG-EPA is sufficient to reduce PCa growth in mice and cancer up-grading in pre-prostatectomy PCa patients correlating with a reduction of gut Ruminococcaceae in both and fecal butyrate levels in PCa patients. This suggests that the beneficial effect of omega-3 rich diet is mediated in part by modulating the crosstalk between gut microbes and their metabolites in men with PCa.

A phase IIb randomized placebo-controlled trial testing the effect of MAG-EPA long-chain omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement on prostate cancer proliferation.

BACKGROUND: High prostate eicosapentaenoic fatty acid (EPA) levels were associated with a significant reduction of upgrading to grade group (GG) ≥ 2 prostate cancer in men under active surveillance. We aimed to evaluate the effect of MAG-EPA long-chain omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement on prostate cancer proliferation. METHODS: A phase II double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 130 men diagnosed with GG ≥ 2 prostate cancer and undergoing radical prostatectomy between 2015-2017 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02333435). Participants were randomized to receive 3 g daily of either MAG-EPA (n = 65) or placebo (n = 65) for 7 weeks (range 4-10) prior to radical prostatectomy. The primary outcome was the cancer proliferation index quantified by automated image analysis of tumor nuclear Ki-67 expression using standardized prostatectomy tissue microarrays. Additional planned outcomes at surgery are reported including plasma levels of 27 inflammatory cytokines and fatty acid profiles in circulating red blood cells membranes and prostate tissue. RESULTS: Cancer proliferation index measured by Ki-67 expression was not statistically different between the intervention (3.10%) and placebo (2.85%) groups (p = 0.64). In the per protocol analyses, the adjusted estimated effect of MAG-EPA was greater but remained non-significant. Secondary outcome was the changes in plasma levels of 27 cytokines, of which only IL-7 was higher in MAG-EPA group compared to placebo (p = 0.026). Men randomized to MAG-EPA prior to surgery had four-fold higher EPA levels in prostate tissue compared to those on placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This MAG-EPA intervention did not affect the primary outcome of prostate cancer proliferation according to nuclear Ki-67 expression. More studies are needed to decipher the effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplementation in men with prostate cancer.

It is thought that our diet can impact our risk of cancer and affect outcomes in patients with cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids, mostly found in fatty fish, might be beneficial by protecting against prostate cancer and its adverse outcomes. We conducted a clinical trial to test the effects of an omega-3 dietary supplement (MAG-EPA) in men with prostate cancer. We randomly allocated 130 men to receive either MAG-EPA or a placebo for 7 weeks before their prostate cancer surgery. We measured a marker of how much tumor cells were proliferating (or growing in number) at the point of surgery, which might indicate how aggressive their disease was. However, the supplement did not affect tumor cell proliferation. The supplement was therefore not beneficial in this group of patients and further studies  are needed to test and confirm the effects of MAG-EPA on prostate cancer cells.

High infiltration of CD209+ dendritic cells and CD163+ macrophages in the peritumor area of prostate cancer is predictive of late adverse outcomes.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) shows considerable variation in clinical outcomes between individuals with similar diseases. The initial host-tumor interaction as assessed by detailed analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells within the primary tumor may dictate tumor evolution and late clinical outcomes. In this study, we assessed the association between clinical outcomes and dendritic cell (DC) or macrophage (MΦ) tumor infiltration as well as with expression of genes related to their functions. Methods: Infiltration and localization of immature DC, mature DC, total MΦ and M2-type MΦ was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 99 radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with 15.5 years median clinical follow-up using antibodies against CD209, CD83, CD68 and CD163, respectively. The density of positive cells for each marker in various tumor areas was determined. In addition, expression of immune genes associated with DC and MΦ was tested in a series of 50 radical prostatectomy specimens by Taqman Low-Density Array with similarly long follow-up. Gene expression was classified as low and high after unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Numbers and ratio of positive cells and levels of gene expression were correlated with endpoints such as biochemical recurrence (BCR), need for definitive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or lethal PCa using Cox regression analyses and/or Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Positive immune cells were observed in tumor, tumor margin, and normal-like adjacent epithelium areas. CD209+ and CD163+ cells were more abundant at the tumor margin. Higher CD209+/CD83+ cell density ratio at the tumor margin was associated with higher risk of ADT and lethal PCa while higher density of CD163+ cells in the normal-like adjacent epithelium was associated with a higher risk of lethal PCa. A combination of 5 genes expressed at high levels correlated with a shorter survival without ADT and lethal PCa. Among these five genes, expression of IL12A and CD163 was correlated to each other and was associated with shorter survival without BCR and ADT/lethal PCa, respectively. Conclusion: A higher level of infiltration of CD209+ immature DC and CD163+ M2-type MΦ in the peritumor area was associated with late adverse clinical outcomes.

Effects of Concentrated Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Quality of Life after Radical Prostatectomy: A Phase II Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial (RCT-EPA).

Prostate cancer (PCa) and associated treatments incur symptoms that may impact patients' quality of life. Studies have shown beneficial relationships between diet, especially omega-3 fatty acids, and these symptoms. Unfortunately, only few data describing the relationship between long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn3) and PCa-related symptoms in patients are available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LCn3 supplementation on PCa-specific quality of life in 130 men treated by radical prostatectomy. Men were randomized to receive a daily dose of either 3.75 g of fish oil or a placebo starting 7 weeks before surgery and for up to one-year post-surgery. Quality of life was assessed using the validated EPIC-26 and IPSS questionnaires at randomization, at surgery, and every 3 months following surgery. Between-group differences were assessed using linear mixed models. Intention-to-treat analyses showed no significant difference between the two groups. However, at 12-month follow-up, per-protocol analyses showed a significantly greater increase in the urinary irritation function score (better urinary function) (MD = 5.5, p = 0.03) for the LCn3 group compared to placebo. These results suggest that LCn3 supplementation may improve the urinary irritation function in men with PCa treated by radical prostatectomy and support to conduct of larger-scale studies.

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on psychological symptoms in men with prostate cancer: Secondary analysis of a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: In the general population, a higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake is associated with lower levels of several psychological symptoms, especially depression. However, the existing evidence in cancer is equivocal. METHODS: This phase IIB double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was aimed at comparing the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-EPA) supplementation and high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO; placebo) on depression levels (primary outcome) and other symptoms (anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence, fatigue, insomnia, perceived cognitive impairments; secondary outcomes). Participants, recruited in a prostate cancer clinic, were randomized to MAG-EPA (3.75 g daily; n = 65) or HOSO (3.75 g daily; n = 65) for 1 year post-radical prostatectomy (RP), starting 4-10 weeks before surgery. Patients completed self-report scales at baseline (before RP) and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog). RESULTS: Analyses showed significant reductions in HADS-depression, HADS-anxiety, FCRI, ISI, FSI-number of days, and FACT-Cog-impact scores over time. A significant group-by-time interaction was obtained on FACT-Cog-Impact scores only; yet, the temporal change was significant in HOSO patients only. CONCLUSIONS: Several symptoms significantly decreased over time, mainly within the first months of the study. However, MAG-EPA did not produce greater reductions than HOSO. Omega-3 supplementation does not seem to improve psychological symptoms of men treated with RP.

The Burden of Uncontrolled Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men With Prostate Cancer: A RADICAL-PC Analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence is higher in men with prostate cancer (PC) than without. Objectives: We describe the rate and correlates of poor cardiovascular risk factor control among men with PC. Methods: We prospectively characterized 2,811 consecutive men (mean age 68 ± 8 years) with PC from 24 sites in Canada, Israel, Brazil, and Australia. We defined poor overall risk factor control as ≥3 of the following: suboptimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (>2 mmol/L if Framingham Risk Score [FRS] ≥15 and ≥3.5 mmol/L if FRS <15), current smoker, physical inactivity (<600 MET min/wk), suboptimal blood pressure (BP) (≥140/90 mm Hg if no other risk factors, systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg if known CVD or FRS ≥15, and ≥130/80 mm Hg if diabetic), and waist:hip ratio >0.9. Results: Among participants (9% with metastatic PC and 23% with pre-existing CVD), 99% had ≥1 uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factor, and 51% had poor overall risk factor control. Not taking a statin (odds ratio [OR]: 2.55; 95% CI: 2.00-3.26), physical frailty (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.51-3.71), need for BP drugs (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.84-3.03), and age (OR per 10-year increase: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.14-1.59) were associated with poor overall risk factor control after adjustment for education, PC characteristics, androgen deprivation therapy, depression, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group functional status. Conclusions: Poor control of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors is common in men with PC, highlighting the large gap in care and the need for improved interventions to optimize cardiovascular risk management in this population.

Green tea for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment: a systematic review of the in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to examine the effects of green tea or green tea components on the prevention and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Using Medline, EMBASE and SciVerse (last researched: July 2011), we retrieved 22 articles including 5 epidemiological studies. RESULTS: In epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, green tea and green tea components have been shown to downregulate the expression of proteins involved in inflammation, cell signalization, cell motility and angiogenesis. Green tea and green tea components would induce apoptosis and could potentiate the effects of cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent. In human observational studies, significant associations between green tea intake and both decreased ovarian cancer occurrence and better prognosis were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Available literature suggests potential molecular targets for green tea in ovarian cancer treatment and also provides data supporting the clinical evaluation of the role of green tea or green tea components in ovarian cancer prevention and treatment.

Analysis of sex-based differences to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether differences exist between men and women in response to intravesical BCG treatments. The incidence of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is lower in women but they tend to present with more aggressive and advanced disease. Some prior studies also suggest there are sex-based differences in response to treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder tumors. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed all consecutive patients who received BCG at the CHU de Québec - Laval University from 2009-2019. Men and women were treated with intravesical BCG therapy following pathologic confirmation of urothelial carcinoma. Outcomes evaluated include recurrence, progression, and treatment tolerability. Recurrence was defined as a pathology confirmed cancer whereas progression was the new development of high-grade (recurrence) pathology or an increase of stage. Tolerability was defined according to the proportion of prescribed BCG received. All clinical details were obtained through review of the medical records, collaborated by pharmacy records for BCG administration. Competing-risk analysis was used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Among 613 patients who received BCG at our institution between 2009-2019, 472 (77.0%) were men and 141 (23.0%) were women. The recurrence rate was not different between sexes, with a 5-year recurrence risk of 52% (95% CI: 36.93-65.4) among women compared to 57.5% (CI 95%: 51.9-62.6) among men. The overall non-progression rate at 1,3 and 5 years was 97.3% (95% CI: 95.6%-98.3%), 93.6% (95% CI: 91.2%-95.4%), and 91.7% (95% CI: 88.4%-94.1%), respectively. The completion of ≥5 induction BCG instillations and maintenance BCG use was similar in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: We report a contemporary NMIBC cohort treated with BCG and find no clear evidence for sex-based differences in response to BCG treatment in regard of progression, recurrence, and tolerability.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on perioperative blood loss and complications after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many dietary supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), are suspected to affect blood coagulation and platelet function. Despite no clinical evidence, discontinuation is recommended before radical prostatectomy. However, long-chain ω3 (LCω3) appear beneficial against prostate cancer progression. Here, we aim to determine the effect of LCω3 supplements on perioperative bleeding, hemoglobin, platelets, and postoperative complications after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This is a planned exploratory analysis of 130 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer grade group 2 or greater enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (NCT02333435) testing the effects of LCω3, on prostate cancer biological and pathological outcomes at radical prostatectomy as main outcomes. The LCω3 intervention (MAG-EPA 3 g daily) or equivalent placebo was given 4-10 weeks prior to radical prostatectomy. An intention-to-treat analysis approach was used with bi-variate statistical testing of bleeding and complications outcomes. We also estimated the difference between groups using linear regression and non-parametric quantile regression models. All models were adjusted for confounding variables selected on clinical relevance. RESULTS: We found no clinically significant effect of LCω3 versus placebo on perioperative bleeding, laboratory tests or postoperative complications. In contrast, as expected, we found a significant increase in perioperative bleeding in open retropubic radical prostatectomy compared to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (adjusted difference 115.8 mL, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ω3 supplements can be safely taken before radical prostatectomy without increasing surgical bleeding risk. These findings are relevant since ω3 may beneficially affect prostate cancer evolution.