The predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the American diet is corn oil, primarily composed of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Research performed by Dr. William Aronson and his collaborators has found that reduction of dietary corn oil in the form of a low-fat diet decreased the growth of human prostate cancers grown in mice. In addition, a low-fat diet decreased the rate of conversion from androgen dependent to hormone refractory prostate cancer in mice with human prostate cancers. Likewise, mouse feeding studies evaluating increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil found that increased fish oil consumption caused a decrease in the progression of human prostate cancers in mice. The prior work in mice has now led to a prospective clinical trial in which men undergoing radical prostatectomy will receive diets varying in fish oil content and total fat content. This research evaluates the potential efficacy of these dietary interventions for prostate cancer prevention and treatment, and evaluates potential serum and tissue biomarkers for a future large-scale nutrition trial in men with prostate cancer.

Aronson's research also focuses on the aggressive nature of prostate cancer in African-American men. Research now underway at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, affiliated with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is evaluating gene expression of prostate tissue obtained from Caucasian and African-American men. The goal of this work is to hopefully elucidate the genetic mechanisms responsible for the increased morbidity and mortality from prostate cancer in African-American men.