Role of diet in prostate cancer: the epigenetic link

Oncogene. 2015 Sep 3;34(36):4683-91. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.422. Epub 2014 Dec 22.

Abstract

Diet is hypothesized to be a critical environmentally related risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa) development, and specific diets and dietary components can also affect PCa progression; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain elusive. As for a maturing organism, PCa's epigenome is plastic and evolves from the pre-neoplastic to the metastatic stage. In particular, epigenetic remodeling relies on substrates or cofactors obtained from the diet. Here we review the evidence that bridges dietary modulation to alterations in the prostate epigenome. We propose that such diet-related effects offer a mechanistic link between the impact of different diets and the course of PCa development and progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Genome, Human
  • Histone Code / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diet therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Risk Factors