What makes this group of studies important to the broader research effort aimed at prostate cancer prevention?
The pre-prostatectomy model is important in studying the biological effects of chemopreventive agents in tissue. We have access to the entire organ and therefore the ability to study in detail the effects of a drug in different zones (areas) of the prostate. We can also study differential effects of a drug in normal tissue, in prostate intraepithelial neoplasia, and in prostate cancer. Since most prostate cancer occurs in the peripheral zone of the prostate, we are interested in effects there. If a drug of interest has no effect in the peripheral zone, it may not be useful. How would you describe the novelty of searching for cancer prevention agents using the pre-prostatectomy model? We are using the pre-prostatectomy model to study the biological effects of such agents as selenium and vitamin E to complement the national effort already under way to determine whether these agents can prevent prostate cancer. In this process, we will not only confirm the known mechanisms of action of th
