The effects of the dual 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride on localized prostate cancer-results from a 4-month pre-radical prostatectomy study

• Published in: The Prostate 2006-11, Vol.66 (15), p.1674-1685
• Main Authors: Gleave, M., Qian, J., Andreou, C., Pommerville, P., Chin, J., Casey, R., Steinhoff, G., Fleshner, N., Bostwick, D., Thomas, L., Rittmaster, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5 alpha reductase; apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Gleason score; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; proliferation; prostate cancer; treatment; Tumors; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0270-4137; 1097-0045
• DOI: 10.1002/pros.20499

BACKGROUND As dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the most potent androgen in the prostate, inhibition of the 5α‐reductase isoenzymes, which convert testosterone to DHT, could be an appropriate target for the treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS Eighty‐one men with clinically localized prostate cancer received daily dutasteride 3.5 or 0.5 mg, or no therapy for 4 months before radical prostatectomy. Histopathological assessments were conducted on prostatectomy specimens. RESULTS Treatment with dutasteride was associated with reductions in serum and intraprostatic DHT of ≥90%, and a decrease in total prostate and tumor volumes. No effect of dutasteride was noted on Gleason grade. Histopathological effects on benign tissue were similar but less prominent than those seen with androgen ablation, whereas there was no significant difference in cancer histology among the groups. CONCLUSIONS Dutasteride treatment results in similar but less marked changes compared with androgen ablation. Prostate 66: 1674–1685, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.