INTEGRATING TRANSCRIPTOME AND METABOLOME SIGNATURES TO PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS AS TO HOW DIET CAN PREVENT PROSTATE CANCER PROGRESSION

Abstract

Although there is an increase in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, most tumours remain organ-confined with little consequence to health. However, if highly aggressive clones emerge, this is a poor health prognosis. Genomic studies have demonstrated that many mutations occur in what appears to be non-cancerous tissues, and metastatic cancer may arise from relatively small tumours, with larger tumours remaining confined to the prostate. We are seeking to understand why the prostate gland becomes susceptible to multifocal carcinogenesis, and how diet may affect the tumour microenvironment to reduce the risk of emergence of aggressive clones. We report results from an intervention study designed to investigate dietary factors that reduce the risk of cancer progression. Men who had a diagnosis of organ-confined prostate cancer underwent a transperineally template biopsy before and after a 12-month dietary intervention with a soup developed from glucosinolate-enriched broccoli, along with appropriate control diets. Habitual diet was rigorously assessed through repeated seven-day diet diaries. Biopsy tissue was assessed for cancer progression, metabolome and transcriptome profiles, and quantification of targeted metabolites. The results provide insight into specific components of cruciferous vegetables that may influence the risk of cancer progression and the underlying mechanisms