Glycyrrhizin in Prostate Cancer: A Window-of-Opportunity Clinical Trial

​Principal Investigator: Dr. Natalie Reizine

Disease: Prostate Cancer

Research Description: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in American men, and studies have shown that men of color from certain neighborhoods of Chicago (including where this trial is occurring) are dying from prostate cancer at rates nearly three times above the Chicago average – the largest racial disparity in Chicago for any major cancer. In addition, research has shown that PC in Black men generally may be more aggressive and less likely to respond to standard therapy. This three-arm, randomized, controlled window-of-opportunity clinical trial will determine the effects of licorice root extract, glycyrrhizin (GLY), in reducing inflammation and decreasing the prostate-specific antigen and other proteins produced by the prostate tumor. GLY is widely used in traditional medicine due to its pharmacological activities, including its impact on inflammation, and previous research has shown that GLY can inhibit growth of PC cells in the lab. The team is enrolling PC patients planning to undergo surgery, with a focus on underrepresented minorities, and GLY will be given to patients prior to surgery. The data obtained from this trial may support a role of GLY in the care of men with PC, both as a treatment and a preventive medication.

Funding Partners: The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, Walder Foundation and others

CWR Funding Role: Primary