National Cancer Institute Trial To Prevent Prostate Cancer

Cancer prevention is a big question mark. There is much touted, but little proven, to ward off America’s number two killer. But scientists do know that certain ethnic groups, ages and families are more prone to certain types of cancer, and that cancer often develops over a period of many years. Testing preventatives on those at high risk for particular cancers looks to be an encouraging avenue.

Because Vitamin E and selenium have shown promise in preventing prostate cancer, the National Cancer Institute has launched the first study designed to gauge the effects and benefits of these two agents—separately and combined—for prostate cancer prevention. The project will in-volve more than 400 sites and 34,000 patients in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada and is expected to take up to 12 years to complete. UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) will recruit patients at two sites—in Newark and at the VA Medical Center in East Orange.

Those considered at highest risk for the disease are: men 55 and older; men of any age who have a father or brother with the disease; and African American men, who not only have a higher incidence of the disease, but who tend to contract it at an earlier age. The trial—which is already one-third full—is recruiting men 55 and older, and African American men 50 and older, who are generally healthy, have never had prostate cancer, and have not been treated for cancer (other than basal or squamous cell carcinoma) within the past five years.

"There is a concern about recruiting African American men, because most clinical studies involve a large majority of white men," explains Karen Long, rn, apn, c.

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) will divide participants into four groups: one will take 200 micrograms of selenium daily plus an inactive capsule, or placebo, that looks like vitamin E; another will take 400 milligrams of vitamin E daily with a placebo that looks like selenium; a third group will take both vitamin E and selenium; and a fourth will be given two placebos. Vitamin E and selenium are antioxidants capable of neutralizing toxins known as "free radicals" that may damage the genetic content of cells and possibly lead to cancer.

"Previous research involving vitamin E and selenium indicates that these nutrients may prevent pros-tate cancer in many men. Although it will take years of testing to determine their value as cancer deterrents, even those participants placed on placebo will be closely monitored," says Patricia E. Gilhooly, MD, assistant professor of surgery/urology at NJMS and principal investigator.

In a 1996 study of selenium to prevent a specific type of non-melanoma skin cancer in 1,000 men and women, investigators found that while the supplement did not reduce the incidence of skin cancer, it did decrease the incidence of prostate cancer in men by more than 60 percent.

For information on the SELECT study call Dr. Gilhooly or Karen Long at (973) 676-1000, ext. 3962.