Post-diagnostic Zinc Supplement Use and Prostate Cancer Survival Among Men With Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer. Issue 3 (1st March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yiwen; Stopsack, Konrad H.; Wu, Kana; Song, Mingyang; Mucci, Lorelei A.; Giovannucci, Edward
• Is Part Of: Journal of urology. Volume 209:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 549
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2023-03-01
• Subjects: zinc, dietary supplements, prostatic neoplasms, cohort studies; Genitourinary organs -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; Urologie -- Périodiques; Urologie; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Biological and experimental evidence support restoration of normal zinc levels in malignant prostate cells as a promising prostate cancer treatment, yet the influence of zinc supplementation after diagnosis on prostate cancer survival in a human population is unknown. Materials and Methods: We prospectively assessed post-diagnostic zinc supplementation in relation to prostate cancer survival among 5, 788 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2019). We used Cox regression models to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of lethal prostate cancer (distant metastases or prostate cancer–specific death) and all-cause mortality according to post-diagnostic zinc supplement use and dosage. Results: During a median follow-up of 11 years, we documented 527 lethal prostate cancer events and 3, 198 all-cause deaths. Fifteen percent of men reported zinc supplement use post-diagnosis. Compared to nonusers, post-diagnostic zinc supplement use was associated suggestively with a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer (HR [95% CI], 0.82 [0.60-1.13]) and significantly with all-cause mortality (0.84 [0.74-0.96]). The inverse association was mostly observed among men who used post-diagnostic zinc supplements of 1-24 mg/d (lethal prostate cancer: 0.55 [0.32-0.96]; all-cause mortality: 0.77 [0.64-0.93]), while higher dosage did not show a lower risk. Conclusions: Post-diagnostic low-dose zinc supplement use among nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients was associated with lower risk of lethal prostate cancer and all-cause mortality. A potential benefit of low-dose post-diagnostic zinc supplement for prostate cancer survival merits further study.