According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States, only behind lung cancer. Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. In most cases, it is treatable, but there are some instances where all known therapies fail, and the situation worsens. However, a recent study on mouse models revealed that a precursor to vitamin K could potentially slow the growth of prostate cancer.
Groundbreaking Study on Vitamin K and Cancer
A recent discovery at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory may offer a new solution to the prostate cancer issue. Professor Lloyd Trotman and his team found that the pro-oxidant supplement menadione reduces the development of prostate cancer in mouse studies. Menadione is found in leafy greens and is a precursor to vitamin K. While this study is new, it builds on earlier research conducted at the start of this century.
Vitamin E Studies
A trial conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 2001 aimed to determine whether an antioxidant, vitamin E, could help treat or prevent the development of prostate cancer. This trial was designed to last 12 years and involved 35,000 men. However, participants were instructed to stop taking vitamin E supplements after just 3 years because not only did the supplement fail to slow or prevent prostate cancer, but it actually led to more men developing the disease!
The New Study Involving Mice
After seeing the results of the vitamin E study, Professor Trotman began to wonder if a pro-oxidant might work, since an antioxidant had failed. His new study involving mice confirmed his suspicion. When mice with prostate cancer were given menadione, the cancer’s survival processes were disrupted. The researchers found that menadione destroyed prostate cancer cells by depleting a lipid called PI(3)P.
Hopes for Translating Results to Human Studies
The team hopes to replicate these results in pilot studies involving human patients with prostate cancer. According to Trotman, “Our target group would be men who get biopsies and have an early form of the disease diagnosed. We wonder if they start taking the supplement, whether we would be able to slow the disease down.” An unexpected benefit of menadione supplementation is that it has also shown effectiveness against myotubular myopathy, a rare condition that inhibits muscle growth in baby boys. Children diagnosed with this disease rarely survive past early childhood. The researchers discovered that using menadione to deplete PI(3)P doubled the lifespan of mice suffering from myotubular myopathy.
The Bottom Line on Vitamin K and Prostate Cancer Prevention
While studies on mice have shown promising results, we still don’t know if these findings will apply to humans. If successful, it could change the lives of millions of men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. This would mean a better quality of life for those who have previously suffered from this devastating disease. So far, this precursor to vitamin K is showing promising results and offering a brighter future for many.