Cancer researchers led by Dr. Michael Carducci at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD recently reported the results from studies funded by POM Wonderful to investigate the potential benefits of their POM-X pomegranate extract. The results were reported at the February 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Symposium. PSA doubling time in 104 men taking 1,000 mg or 3,000 mg (milligrams) of the extract increased from a median of 11.9 months before taking POM-X to 18.5 months after taking the extract. “There was no significant treatment difference between the different dosages on PSA doubling.” According to a recent article in the March 2011 issue of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) Insights (Vol. 14, No.1, http://www.prostate-cancer.org/pcricms/node/59), “This implies that cancer growth is slowed. It is hoped (but not yet proven) that doubling times induced by POM-X will result in longer time to progression and improved lives for men with prostate cancer.”
This study reinforces a smaller 2005-6 study at UCLA wherein men drinking 8 oz. daily of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice experienced longer PSA doubling times. A research group led by Dr. Manuela Martins-Green had determined that pomegranate juice concentrate increased cell death in prostate tumor cell lines that were resistant to testosterone (which are associated with metastasis), increased cell adhesion and decreased migration in prostate cancer cells that survived. More recently, it was reported at the American Society for Cell Biology’s December 12th, 2010 meeting that specific families of chemical compounds isolated and identified from the pomegranate extract inhibited the migration of cancer cells and their attraction to a signal that promotes metastasis to the bone.
Neither of these above studies had a placebo arm so it is not unequivocally proven that the pomegranate actually caused the improvement. One can read about this study and others in the PCRI Insights Newsletter (see below). One such example is “Pomegranates and Prostate Health: A Research Report” available at http://www.prostate-cancer.org/pcricms/node/112. The useful PCRI Insights are also available by mail. Their contact information is 5777 West Century Blvd. Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90045; phone: (310) 743-2116; helpline: (310) 743-2110; e mail: pcri@pcri.org; web address: www.prostate-cancer.org and www.pcri.org.
As always, material on this website is presented for information purposes only. Significant interactions between natural food products and various medications are possible. The reader is urged to consult their health professional before using any new substances or products.