THE MODULATION OF PROSTATE CANCER RISK WITH α-TOCOPHEROL: A PILOT RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Serum α-tocopherol is increased by oral supplementation of vitamin E. We found that α-tocopherol supplementation has no effect on serum androgens, IGF-1 or PSA. The lack of an effect of vitamin supplementation on PSA avoids any bias in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in vitamin E treated patients. Our results suggest that a decrease in prostate cancer risk with α-tocopherol is likely to occur through a mechanism that is nonhormonal and independent of IGF-1.