Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in U.S. men, affecting about 1 in 8 during their lifetime. While often treatable, some cases resist all therapies. A new study from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory offers hope, showing that menadione—a precursor to vitamin K found in leafy greens—may slow prostate cancer growth in mice.
Led by Professor Lloyd Trotman, the research found that menadione disrupts cancer cell survival by eliminating a lipid called PI(3)P. This follows a failed 2001 study where vitamin E, an antioxidant, was found to increase prostate cancer risk. In contrast, menadione, a pro-oxidant, showed positive effects.
The team now hopes to test its impact on men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Interestingly, menadione also extended the lives of mice with myotubular myopathy, a rare muscle-wasting disease.