(dailyRx)

Pomegranate juice may slow the progression of post-treatment prostate cancer recurrence, according to new long-term research results.

Researchers found that men who have undergone treatment for localized prostate cancer could benefit from drinking pomegranate juice.

The two-stage clinical trial followed a total of 48 participants over six years. Eligible participants had a rising PSA (prostate-specific antigen) after surgery or radiotherapy, a PSA greater than 0.2 ng/ml and less than 5 ng/ml and a Gleason score of 7 or less. These patients were treated by drinking 8 oz. of pomegranate juice daily. Currently, in the sixth year of treatment, active patients who remain on the study have a median total follow-up of 56 months. These participants continue to experience a significant increase in PSA-doubling time following treatment, from a mean of 15.4 months at baseline to 60 months post-treatment, with a median PSA slope decrease of 60 percent, 0.06 to 0.024.

Researchers compared active patients who remain in the study with nonactive patients who are no longer in the study. Though these two groups demonstrated similar mean PSA-doubling times at baseline, both the PSA-doubling time prolongation and the decline in median PSA slope were greater in active patients when compared to nonactive patients.

"This study suggests that pomegranate juice may effectively slow the progression of prostate cancer after unsuccessful treatment," said Christopher Amling, M.D., an American Urological Association spokesman. "This finding and other ongoing research might one day reveal that pomegranate juice is an effective prostate cancer preventative agent as well."

Parts of this ongoing study suggest that some patients may be more sensitive to the effects of pomegranate juice on PSA-doubling time. The third phase of this study is currently underway to further evaluate the benefits of pomegranate juice in a placebo-controlled manner.

Contact:
Wendy Isett
410-977-4770