Relationship Between Prostate Cancer and Benign Hyperplasia: Role of Inflammation-Induced Oxidative Stress, Vitamin C, and Epigenetics

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer (PC) frequently affect aging men, both involving irregular cell growth in the prostate. Inflammation is a major contributor to these conditions, whereas DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation are specifically involved in PC development. In this review, we address several potential factors influencing the progression of PC, including DNA epigenetic marks, ascorbate (vitamin C) concentration in the blood plasma, and its intracellular levels in leukocytes and prostate tissues. Moreover, a new aspect concerning the involvement of leukocytes (white blood cells) in PC formation will also be discussed, highlighting their potential utility for assessing early PC development through a minimally invasive approach.