Lynnette R. Ferguson
University of Auckland School of Medical and Health Sciences, New Zealand
Title: Assessing the efficacy of dietary interventions in prostate cancer susceptibility and progression by the use of biomarkers
Biography
Biography: Lynnette R. Ferguson
Abstract
New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of prostate cancer incidence. Both the likelihood of disease occurrence and its’ rate of progression are affected by diet. The dubious ethics of dietary intervention followed by waiting for a cancer endpoint are well illustrated by the example of selenium. The SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin ECancer Prevention Trial)trial began in 2001, and recruited large numbers of men to see if one or both of these dietary supplements could help prevent prostate cancer. In 2014, analysis showed that men who started the trial with high levels of selenium, doubled their risk of developing a high-grade prostate cancer by taking the selenium supplement tested (selenomethionine). This is highly relevant to New Zealand, since our soils are low in this element. Our own studies have used various biomarker endpoints to assess the efficacy of a different form of selenium (selenised yeast), especially in men who show low blood selenium levels, to reduce the probable disease risk and rate of progression. The meaning, relevance and efficacy of these endpoints will be compared.