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Gene & Protein in Disease

REVIEW ARTICLE
Natural carotenoids as a potential

chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer: A
literature review

1
Maria Vasileiou *, Theodora Tatsiou , Vasiliki Ioannidou ,
3
2
Vasiliki Taxiarchoula Agiassoti , and Stergiani Telliou 5
4
1 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of
Athens, Athens, Greece
2 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
3 Cancer Prevention Research Group in Greece, Athens, Greece
4 Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
5 Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second
leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. While the exact etiology of PCa
remains unclear, various factors contribute to the onset of the disease. These factors
include modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol
consumption, and exposure to environmental agents. In addition, unmodifiable risk
factors such as age and ethnicity play a role, with men of African ancestry being more
susceptible to the disease. Despite the availability of potential treatment options,
prevention is of utmost importance in reducing the incidence of PCa. Researchers
have turned their attention to carotenoids, which are natural compounds derived
*Corresponding author: from fruit and vegetables such as citrus, tomato, and green leafy vegetables, due to
Maria Vasileiou
(mariavasileiou65@gmail.com) their potential chemopreventive effects. Multiple phase II clinical trials have indicated
a reduced incidence and progression of diagnosed PCa in patients. Laboratory
Citation: Vasileiou M, Tatsiou T,
Ioannidou V, Agiassoti VT, Telliou S. studies on PCa cell lines have demonstrated that carotenoids induce apoptosis and
Natural carotenoids as a potential reduce cellular accumulation and adhesion of PCa cells in a dose-dependent manner.
chemopreventive agent for prostate In this literature review, we assess the chemopreventive potential of the most
cancer: A literature review. Gene
Protein Dis. 2024;3(1): 2827. common carotenoids: α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and β-cryptoxanthin,
https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2827 which are often found in a heterogeneous mixture. We also discuss their potential
Received: January 26, 2024 clinical use as well as challenges related to their safety and bioavailability. Overall,
Accepted: March 19, 2024 a better understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of PCa will lead to the
Published Online: March 27, 2024 development of improved preventative strategies and treatments for the disease.
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Keywords: Prostate cancer; Chemoprevention; Carotenoids; Natural products;
Creative Commons Attribution Antioxidant properties; Apoptotic properties
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited. 1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 1.1. Overview of prostate cancer (PCa)
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional PCa stands out as the most widespread malignancy among males over the age
1
affiliations. of 45, marked by elevated mortality rates worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were over
Volume 3 Issue 1 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2827