Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in men globally. Lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes and related products, has strong antioxidant properties and may reduce prostate cancer risk.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect up to September 2024. Twenty-three observational studies involving 414,128 participants and 33,552 prostate cancer cases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-and fixed-effects models.
Results: High dietary lycopene intake was significantly associated with reduced prostate cancer risk (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.99, P=0.03), especially at >10 mg/day. Lycopene intake also reduced advanced prostate cancer risk (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.78-0.99, P=0.04), notably at >15 mg/day. Serum lycopene levels were associated with prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.73-0.96, P = 0.009). Greater risk reduction was seen in studies with >10 years follow-up (OR=0.92, P = 0.003).
Conclusion: Higher lycopene intake and serum levels are associated with reduced prostate cancer risk. Notably, lycopene intake also appears to decrease the risk of advanced prostate cancer. These findings highlight its potential as a preventive dietary factor.

Keywords:Lycopene; Prostate cancer; Meta-analysis; Antioxidant

Abbreviations: CI: Confidence Interval; OR: Odds Ratio; PCA: Prostate Cancer; PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; REVMAN: Review Manager; NOS: Newcastle- Ottawa Scale; PCA: Prostate Cancer; NCC: Nested Case-Control; CC: Case-Control; FFQ: Food Frequency Questionnaire; Q: Quantile; FHPC: Family History of Prostate Cancer; BMI: Body Mass Index; NA: Not Applicable; CLUE I: Give us a CLUE to Cancer Study I; CLUE II: Give us a CLUE to Cancer Study II; NSAIDS: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; RCTs: Randomized Controlled Trials