Pomegranate and PSA in prostate cancer

The first clinical trial of pomegranate juice in patients with prostate cancer reported a “significant prolongation of PSA [prostate-specific antigen] doubling time” from 15 to 54 months among men with a rising PSA following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. This was accompanied by other positive changes at the cellular level, according to the researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine in the July issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

The results are interesting and will be followed by a placebo-controlled study. But perhaps of greater interest is the fact that this research was sponsored by a California company that, according to the August 7th issue of Newsweek, spends more on funding research than advertising.

That’s good news. In addition to being the market leader in sales of this odd fruit, the makers of POM Wonderful are setting an example of corporate responsibility for the rest of the nutraceutical and supplement industry.

8/1/06 08:17 JR