Clinical Case Study on Orally Administered Whey Protein Microencapsulated DIM in Castrate-resistant Metastatic Prostate

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), an active constituent of cruciferous vegetables and well regarded as a potent anticancer compound as well as an anti-androgen, modulates estrogen metabolism and down-regulates androgen receptors. It has been found to improve Quality of Life (QOL) in prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly detected malignancy among males in developed countries, accounting for 10% of all cancers in 2020, which represents 191,000 new cases. Because of the high prevalence, a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind design study was conducted with two parallel groups to determine the effect of the microencapsulated, enhanced orally administered DIM. This novel delivery system of this potent anticancer agent was found to improve the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Among 20 patients, two parallel groups of 10 each, ages ranging from 60-71, histologically confirmed castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were selected for this 6 week study. Patients within group I (cases) were prescribed whey protein microencapsulated DIM at a dose of 150 mg orally twice daily; group II (control) were administered a dose of 150 mg whey protein (placebo) twice daily. All the patients' Quality of Life (QOL) measurements, using EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaire, were determined before and after the study. Results indicated that a significant decrease ( P < 0.05) in the symptoms scale over the 6 week duration was observed in the urinary and hormonal-treatment-related symptoms of the group I (cases) after the active therapy as compared to group II (control). Additionally, a significant improvement over that time frame was observed in the sexual activity in the patients after the treatment; No significant adverse effects were reported by the patients during follow-up visits. Based on this clinical data, it is concluded that the whey protein encapsulated DIM may have the potential to delay the decline of Quality of Life (QOL) and, in some cases, even improve the Quality of Life in those patients with metastatic prostate cancer.