The effects of cranberry phytochemicals on the behaviour of prostate cancer In vitro and In vivo

With an estimated 24,600 cases, prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Canada, and evidence suggests that the development of prostate cancer can be related to the consumption or avoidance of certain foods. Recently there has been considerable interest in the phytochemical components of the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon ), as they have been shown to affect certain behaviours of cancerous cells in an in vitro setting. The work in this thesis demonstrates the effects of whole cranberry extract (WCE) and proanthocyanidins (PACs) from the American cranberry on the development and behaviour of prostate cancer cells in an in vitro setting, and details the results of a pilot study of a cranberry-infused diet in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse model. Cranberry PACs were shown to affect the viability of DU145 human prostate cancer cells and decreased the activity of both MMP 2 and MMP 9, both of which are associated with the metastatic potential of prostate cancer in vivo. PACs also affected specific cellular signalling pathways which have been associated with the expression of MMPs 9 and 2. WCE, like PACs, affected the viability of DU145 cells. WCE also decreased the expression of cell cycle associated proteins, increased the expression of a cell cycle inhibitor protein, and decreased the movement of DU145 human prostate cancer cells through the cell cycle. The results of the TRAMP mouse pilot study detailing the effects of a cranberry-infused diet on the behaviour of prostate cancer demonstrated no appreciable effects on the size or weight of the prostate tumour and surrounding lower urogenital tract. There was also no significant different in the survival rates of TRAMP mice fed a 3% cranberry diet, nor changes in the expression of cell cycle associated proteins. Interestingly, a cranberry-infused diet decreased the weight of control mice during a four week period of time. Results from this study suggest that cranberry compounds can affect the behaviour of prostate cancer cells and its affects should be characterised further, with additional modifications necessary to order to further investigate its affects in vivo.