The Use of Soy Isoflavones in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer - A Focus on the Cellular Effects

Sep 24, 2026

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A possible link between diet and cancer has driven growing interest in phytochemicals, particularly soy isoﬂavones and their roles in prostate cancer. Evidence from Asian epidemiology links soy isoﬂavone intake with reduced prostate cancer risk, while mechanistic studies highlight genistein and daidzein and the derivative equol as a more biologically potent compound. This review synthesizes cellular mechanisms in vitro and in vivo, comparing genistein, daidzein, and equol across hormone-mediated signaling, cell-cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and epigenetic regulation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages15

Reading Time38 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Soy—One Word, Different Worlds

nutrients Review The Use of Soy Isoﬂavones in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Focus on the Cellular Effects Hans Van der Eecken 1, *, Steven Joniau 2, Charlien Berghen 3, Kato Rans 3 and Gert De Meerleer 3 Citation: Van der Eecken, H.; Joniau, S.; Berghen, C.; Rans, K.; De Meerleer, G. The Use of Soy Isoﬂavones in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Focus on the Cellular Effects. Nutrients 2023, 15, 4856. [https://](https://)[ ](https://)[doi.org/10.3390/nu15234856](doi.org/10.3390/nu15234856) Academic Editor: Giorgio Ivan Russo Received: 19 October 2023 Revised: 18 November 2023 Accepted: 19 November 2023 Published: 21 November 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Department of Urology, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium 2 Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; [steven.joniau@uzleuven.be](steven.joniau@uzleuven.be) 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; charlien.berghen@uzleuven.be (C.B.); [kato.rans@uzleuven.be](kato.rans@uzleuven.be) (K.R.); [gert.demeerleer@uzleuven.be](gert.demeerleer@uzleuven.be) (G.D.M.) * [Correspondence: vandereeckenhans@gmail.com](Correspondence: vandereeckenhans@gmail.com); Tel.: +32-2-477-41-11 Abstract: A possible link between diet and cancer has long been considered, with growing interest in phytochemicals. Soy isoﬂavones have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in Asian populations. Of the soy isoﬂavones, genistein and daidzein, in particular, have been studied, but recently, equol as a derivative has gained interest because it is more biologically potent. Different mechanisms of action have already been studied for the different isoﬂavones in multiple conditions, such as breast, gastrointestinal, and urogenital cancers. Many of these mechanisms of action could also be demonstrated in the prostate, both in vitro and in vivo. This review focuses on the known mechanisms of action at the cellular level and compares them between genistein, daidzein, andequol. These include androgen-and estrogen-mediated pathways, regulation of the cell cycle and cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In addition, antioxidant and anti-inﬂammatory effects and epigenetics are addressed. Keywords: isoﬂavone; genistein; daidzein; equol; prostate cancer 1. Introduction Globally, a geographical difference is observed in prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality. East Asia has a lower PCa incidence than Western countries. These differences are associated with a migration effect: migrant Japanese men are at the same risk of PCa as Native Americans living in the United States [1] . These differences have been repeatedly associated with dietary habits. Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between soy isoﬂavone intake and PCa risk [2,3] . A large number of preclinical studies have proposed some elucidating mechanisms in the carcinogenesis of PCa by soy isoﬂavones. However, clinical data to conﬁrm this preclinical evidence are currently lacking. Extensive studies and reviews have already been published on the mechanisms of action of soy isoﬂavones [4–8] . The disease characteristics of PCa, with high incidence, long latency, the availability of tumor markers (prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA)), heterogeneous risk groups, and the presence of pre-neoplastic lesions, make PCa suitable for chemoprevention by soy and other nutraceuticals [9] . This review focuses exclusively on the cellular effects and the potential clinical use of soy isoﬂavones, in particular, genistein, daidzein, and its metabolite equ

FAQs

What diet-related evidence links soy isoﬂavones to prostate cancer risk?

Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between soy isoﬂavone intake and prostate cancer risk. The article notes a geographical difference in incidence and mortality, with dietary habits repeatedly associated with these patterns.

Why is equol considered especially interesting among soy isoﬂavone derivatives?

Equol has gained interest because it is more biologically potent than other isoﬂavones. The review also discusses equol’s formation by gut bacteria and its distinct biological characteristics, including antioxidant activity.

Which cellular mechanisms are compared across genistein, daidzein, and equol?

The review compares mechanisms including androgen- and estrogen-mediated pathways, regulation of the cell cycle and cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. It also addresses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and epigenetic regulation.

Sep 24, 2026

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