How a Simple Dietary Supplement Is Changing Prostate Cancer Care
Prostate cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges facing men worldwide. In the United Kingdom alone, approximately 52,000 men are diagnosed with this disease each year. For many of these men, especially those with localized, slow-growing tumors, the preferred approach is active surveillance or watchful waiting—monitoring the cancer closely rather than immediately pursuing aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation that can cause life-altering side effects including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK
Of study participants were on active surveillance
Of study participants were on watchful waiting
The primary tool for monitoring prostate cancer progression is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. A rapidly rising PSA level indicates that the cancer may be progressing, often triggering anxiety in patients and leading to discussions about initiating invasive treatments. For men on active surveillance, finding ways to slow PSA progression means potentially delaying these invasive treatments and their associated side effects, making this a crucial area of medical research 1 4 .
Enter polyphenols—natural plant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, teas, and spices that have demonstrated remarkable health benefits in numerous studies. These powerful phytochemicals function as potent antioxidants, protecting our cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Beyond this foundational role, research has revealed that polyphenols can influence cancer development and progression through multiple pathways.
Polyphenols help reduce chronic inflammation throughout the body, which is linked to cancer development.
They inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors, starving them of nutrients.
Polyphenols can initiate programmed cell death in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
They slow down cancer cell division and growth, helping to control tumor development.
Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that diets rich in polyphenol-containing foods are associated with lower cancer risk across multiple cancer types, including prostate, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers 2 3 . Despite these promising associations, until recently, no adequately powered randomized controlled trial had investigated whether concentrated polyphenol supplements could effectively slow cancer progression in humans.
The U.K. National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) Pomi-T study, published in 2014, set out to address this evidence gap through a rigorously designed clinical trial. The research team, led by Professor Robert Thomas, hypothesized that a combination of four particularly well-researched, polyphenol-rich foods—pomegranate, green tea, broccoli, and turmeric—could slow PSA progression in men with prostate cancer on active surveillance or watchful waiting 1 2 .
Rich in ellagic acid, shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration while inducing apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines 2 .
Contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which blocks enzymes that signal cells to proliferate and bypass normal cell death pathways 2 .
Provides sulforaphane and other isothiocyanates that have been shown to inhibit cancer growth and promote apoptosis while modulating cancer-related gene expression 2 .
Contains curcumin, which demonstrates multiple anti-cancer properties including slowing prostate cancer cell growth, reducing markers of invasion and migration, and possessing anti-inflammatory properties 2 .
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial design
The Pomi-T trial employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design—the gold standard in clinical research. This approach ensures that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active treatment versus the placebo, eliminating potential bias in both reporting and interpretation of results.
The study enrolled 199 men with histologically confirmed prostate cancer, with an average age of 74 years. Among these participants, 60% were managed with primary active surveillance, while 40% were on watchful waiting following previous radical interventions. The participants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the Pomi-T supplement or an identical-looking placebo for six months 1 2 .
| Characteristic | Food Supplement Group (n=134) | Placebo Group (n=65) |
|---|---|---|
| Age (mean years) | 71.8 | 76.4 |
| PSA (mean μg/L) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Gleason grade ≤7 | 127 (95%) | 57 (88%) |
| Gleason grade >7 | 7 (5%) | 8 (12%) |
| BMI (mean kg/m²) | 28.1 | 28.3 |
Regular monitoring throughout the study included not only PSA measurements but also assessments of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation), and adverse events, providing a comprehensive picture of both efficacy and safety 1 2 4 .
The results of the Pomi-T trial exceeded expectations. After six months of intervention, the data revealed a striking difference in PSA progression between the two groups:
Statistically significant difference of 63.8% (P=0.0008)
P = 0.00001
| Outcome Measure | Food Supplement Group | Placebo Group | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median PSA rise | 14.7% | 78.5% | P = 0.0008 |
| Men with stable/lower PSA | 46% | 14% | P = 0.00001 |
| Men continuing surveillance | 92.6% | 74% | P = 0.01 |
Perhaps even more compelling than the laboratory numbers was the real-world impact on clinical decision-making. The number of men who opted to leave active surveillance or watchful waiting at the end of the intervention was significantly different between the two groups:
Threefold difference in treatment decisions
of men in the food supplement group decided to discontinue surveillance
of men in the placebo group opted to leave surveillance
This threefold difference demonstrates the potential clinical meaningfulness of this intervention—by slowing PSA progression, the supplement reduced cancer-related anxiety and provided men with greater confidence to continue monitoring rather than pursuing immediate invasive treatments 1 4 .
The supplement proved to be well-tolerated, with no significant differences in reported side effects between the active supplement and placebo groups. There were no concerning changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, C-reactive protein, or reports of adverse interactions with medications such as warfarin 2 4 .
| Research Material | Function in the Study |
|---|---|
| Pomegranate whole fruit powder | Source of ellagic acid and other polyphenols; laboratory studies indicated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cells |
| Green tea 5:1 extract | Concentrated source of EGCG; shown to block ornithine decarboxylase and reduce growth factors promoting cancer cell proliferation |
| Broccoli powder | Provides glucosinolates and isothiocyanates like sulforaphane; demonstrated to modulate cancer-related gene expression and promote apoptosis |
| Turmeric powder | Source of curcuminoids; shown to slow cancer cell growth, inhibit invasion and migration pathways, and exert anti-inflammatory effects |
| Placebo with watercress | Matched active supplement for color, taste, and appearance while providing minimal active polyphenols; crucial for maintaining study blinding |
| Di-calcium phosphate | Bulking agent used to standardize capsule size and content across both active and placebo groups |
The Pomi-T study represents a significant milestone in nutritional oncology, providing robust evidence that a specific blend of concentrated, polyphenol-rich whole foods can significantly slow PSA progression in men with prostate cancer. The implications extend beyond the specific supplement tested—this research validates the broader principle that targeted nutritional interventions can meaningfully influence cancer progression and clinical decision-making.
A more recent study investigated a similar polyphenol blend combined with a probiotic complex. This combination demonstrated an even more pronounced effect—a 42% decrease in PSA progression—suggesting that gut health may interact with dietary polyphenols to enhance their anti-cancer effects. This synergistic approach also resulted in a 25% improvement in urinary and erectile function, addressing quality of life issues that are paramount for men living with prostate cancer 5 .
Professor Thomas and his team have also explored the potential benefits of polyphenol supplementation beyond prostate cancer. A pilot study involving female cancer survivors found that Pomi-T supplementation significantly improved joint pain, hot flashes, and mood—common challenges faced by women during and after cancer treatment 8 .
As research continues to unfold, the promise of targeted nutritional interventions like Pomi-T offers new hope for personalized, integrative cancer care. While dietary supplements should never replace conventional treatments, they may serve as valuable allies in comprehensive cancer management strategies, potentially slowing disease progression, improving quality of life, and delaying the need for more aggressive interventions.
The Pomi-T story exemplifies how rigorous scientific investigation can transform traditional wisdom about the health benefits of fruits, vegetables, and spices into evidence-based interventions—ushering in a new era where what we eat becomes an integral part of how we fight cancer.