Does Protein Restriction Inhibit Prostrate Cancer Growth

The Purpose of the Protein Study is to investigate whether a reduced protein diet can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in humans.

The Investigators hypothesis is that a reduced protein diet will inhibit expression of genes that are involved in the growth of prostate cancer.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether or not a low protein diet has an inhibitory effect on prostate cancer cell growth.

The primary outcome measures relative to the investigators primary objectives are:

For Group 1 the expression of genes and proteins of the PI-3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. For Group 2 the PSA values obtained every three months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

group 1

1. Patient must have a diagnosis of prostate cancer confirmed by pathology.
2. Patient must be scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy no sooner than 6 weeks from date of enrollment (to allow for a minimum of 4 weeks on the low protein diet).
3. Patient must have adequate baseline protein intake (screening 4-day food record shows protein \> 1.0 g/kg FFM)
4. Patient must be able to understand the English-language instructions.
5. Patient must be able to comply with the low protein diet (as evaluated by the dietitian and other study team members).
6. Patient must be able to understand and willing to sign an IRB-approved written informed consent document.

5.2.2 Inclusion Criteria - Group 2

1. Patient must have a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
2. Patient must have previously undergone a radical prostatectomy for treatment of prostate cancer.
3. Patient must have a detectable PSA (defined as PSA ≥ 0.1) in at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least one month apart, with no therapy between the PSA measurements. If the patient has had additional therapy after the radical prostatectomy, there must be evidence of a rising PSA (i.e., two consecutive measurements at least one month apart) after the patient has completed the intervening therapy (meaning that the patient must have failed treatment).
4. Patient must have adequate baseline protein intake (screening 4-day food record shows protein \> 1.0 g/kg FFM).
5. Patient must have adequate baseline caloric intake (screening 4-day food record shows caloric intake of \> 1500 kcal/day).
6. Patient must be able to understand the English-language instructions.
7. Patient must be able to comply with the low protein diet (as evaluated by the dietitian and other study team members).
8. Patient must be able to understand and willing to sign an IRB-approved written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient must not currently be receiving any therapy for prostate cancer.
2. Patient must not have any serious chronic illness such as unstable angina, any uncontrolled metabolic disorder, or any immunologic disorder.
3. Patient must not have a history of any previous malignancy (with the exception of squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin) in the 5 years prior to enrollment (for Group 1) or 12 months prior to enrollment (for Group 2).
4. Patient must not have a previous history of a stroke.
5. Patient must not be taking any medications that might confound the study results (anabolic agents (such as androgen, androgen precursor, rhGH) in the 6 months prior to enrollment; corticosteroids (other than nasal) in the 6 months prior to enrollment; or finasteride or dutasteride).
6. Patient must not have dementia or any other cognitive impairment.
7. Patient must not have a lifestyle or fixed diet pattern that would interfere with participation in or interpretation of the results of this study

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