Scientists are studying lycopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes and other fruits, to see if it might help prevent or treat cancer. This review looked at dozens of studies to understand how lycopene works in the body and whether it could boost cancer-fighting medicines or reduce their side effects. While early research is promising, scientists say we need more human studies before recommending lycopene as a cancer treatment. The main challenge is that lycopene doesn’t dissolve well in water, so researchers are developing new ways to deliver it to the body more effectively.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether lycopene, a natural red compound from tomatoes, could help prevent or treat cancer, especially when combined with other treatments
- Who participated: This was a review article that examined many previous studies rather than testing people directly. The researchers looked at laboratory studies, animal studies, and human population studies about lycopene and cancer
- Key finding: Laboratory and animal studies suggest lycopene may slow cancer cell growth and work better when combined with certain cancer medicines, but human studies are still limited and more research is needed
- What it means for you: Eating tomato-rich foods is generally healthy, but lycopene supplements should not replace proven cancer treatments. Talk to your doctor before taking lycopene supplements, especially if you’re undergoing cancer treatment
The Research Details
This is a review article, which means scientists read and summarized findings from many other studies instead of conducting their own experiment. The researchers looked at different types of research including laboratory tests with cancer cells, animal studies, and human population studies that tracked people’s diets and cancer rates.
The review focused on three main areas: how lycopene works against cancer cells, how it might work better when combined with cancer medicines or other nutrients, and new ways to deliver lycopene to the body since it doesn’t mix well with water. By bringing together information from multiple studies, the researchers could see patterns and identify what we know and don’t know about lycopene’s potential benefits.
This type of review is useful because it helps scientists understand the current state of research and identify gaps where more studies are needed. However, a review doesn’t provide the strongest evidence on its own—that comes from well-designed human studies.
Review articles are important because they help organize what we know about a topic and show researchers where to focus future work. By summarizing existing studies about lycopene, scientists can identify which findings are consistent across multiple studies and which areas need more research. This approach is especially valuable for natural compounds like lycopene, where many small studies exist but few large human trials have been completed.
This review was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts checked the work before publication. However, as a review article rather than original research, it summarizes other people’s findings rather than generating new data. The strength of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies reviewed. The authors note that many existing studies were done in laboratories or animals, not in humans, which limits how much we can apply these findings to real people. The review also highlights that more human studies are needed before lycopene can be recommended as a cancer treatment.
What the Results Show
Laboratory studies show that lycopene can slow the growth of cancer cells and may trigger cancer cells to die. These effects appear to work through multiple pathways in the body, meaning lycopene attacks cancer cells in several different ways. When researchers combined lycopene with certain cancer-fighting drugs in laboratory settings, the combination often worked better than either treatment alone, suggesting a synergistic effect.
Animal studies have shown similar promising results, with lycopene reducing tumor growth in mice and rats. Some studies also found that lycopene might reduce side effects from chemotherapy drugs, though this needs more testing in humans. The research suggests that lycopene’s main strength comes from its antioxidant properties—it helps neutralize harmful molecules in the body that can damage cells and lead to cancer.
Population studies (which track what people eat and their health outcomes) have found associations between higher lycopene intake and lower rates of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer and lung cancer. However, these studies show correlation, not proof of cause-and-effect, meaning we can’t be certain that lycopene is what’s protecting people.
Researchers also discovered that lycopene’s effectiveness is limited by its poor water solubility—it doesn’t dissolve well in water, which makes it harder for the body to absorb and use. Scientists are developing new delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and liposomes (tiny fat-based containers), to help the body absorb lycopene more effectively. Early research suggests these new delivery methods could significantly improve how much lycopene the body can use. Additionally, studies indicate that lycopene may work better when combined with other nutrients like vitamin E or selenium, suggesting that whole-food sources might be more beneficial than isolated supplements.
This review builds on decades of research into natural compounds and cancer prevention. Previous reviews have highlighted the potential of various plant compounds, and lycopene has consistently emerged as one of the most promising. However, unlike some other natural compounds that have moved into human clinical trials, lycopene research has remained largely in the laboratory and animal stages. This review emphasizes that while the evidence is encouraging, lycopene hasn’t yet reached the level of proof needed to recommend it as a primary cancer treatment, unlike established chemotherapy drugs.
The biggest limitation is that most studies were conducted in laboratories or animals, not in humans. What works in a test tube or in mice doesn’t always work the same way in people. Additionally, many human studies were observational (watching what people eat and tracking their health) rather than experimental (randomly giving some people lycopene and others a placebo). Observational studies can’t prove that lycopene causes the benefits—people who eat more tomatoes might also exercise more or have other healthy habits. The review also notes that different studies used different amounts of lycopene and different delivery methods, making it hard to compare results. Finally, most studies focused on specific cancers, so we don’t know if lycopene would help with all cancer types equally.
The Bottom Line
Based on current evidence, eating tomato-rich foods as part of a healthy diet is reasonable and generally beneficial (moderate confidence). However, taking lycopene supplements as a cancer treatment or prevention strategy is not yet supported by strong human evidence (low confidence). If you’re interested in lycopene supplements, discuss this with your doctor first, especially if you have cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment. Do not replace proven cancer treatments with lycopene or any supplement.
This research is most relevant to cancer researchers and oncologists looking for new treatment approaches. People interested in cancer prevention through diet may find it interesting, but should focus on proven strategies like eating plenty of vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco. People currently being treated for cancer should not use this as a reason to start supplements without medical guidance. People with a family history of certain cancers (especially prostate or lung cancer) might be interested in including tomato-rich foods in their diet, though this alone is not proven cancer prevention.
If lycopene supplements were to be developed into a cancer treatment, it would likely take 5-10 years of human clinical trials before they could be recommended. For dietary sources, any potential cancer prevention benefits would likely develop over years or decades of consistent consumption, not weeks or months. Don’t expect immediate results from eating more tomatoes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily servings of lycopene-rich foods (tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya) and note any changes in energy levels or general health markers over 3 months. Aim for 1-2 servings daily and record the specific food and portion size.
- Add one tomato-based food to your daily diet—such as tomato sauce with pasta, salsa with lunch, or tomato soup. This is a practical, tasty way to increase lycopene intake while waiting for more research on supplements.
- Create a monthly log of lycopene-rich foods consumed and overall wellness metrics (energy, digestion, general health). Share this with your healthcare provider during annual checkups to discuss whether dietary changes align with your health goals. If considering supplements, work with your doctor to monitor any interactions with medications or treatments.
This review summarizes research on lycopene and cancer, but it is not medical advice. Lycopene should not be used as a replacement for proven cancer treatments or medical care. If you have cancer or a family history of cancer, consult with your oncologist or healthcare provider before starting any supplements, including lycopene. Some supplements can interact with cancer medications or other treatments. Always inform your healthcare team about any supplements you’re taking or considering. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of cancer.