The rationale for inhibiting 5alpha-reductase isoenzymes in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE

Androgens are essential for prostatic growth and development but they also have a significant role in prostate disease pathogenesis. Dihydrotestosterone, the primary prostatic androgen, is transformed from testosterone by types 1 and 2 5alpha-reductase and, thus, a potential therapeutic benefit could be achieved through the inhibition of 5alpha-reductase.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature review was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE and congress abstracts to examine evidence supporting the potential of 5alpha-reductase inhibitors in the primary prevention of prostate cancer and in limiting the progression of diagnosed disease.

RESULTS

Prostate disease development is associated with increased expression of each 5alpha-reductase isoenzyme with over expression of type 1 of particular importance in prostate cancer development and progression. The 2 5alpha-reductase inhibitors currently clinically available are finasteride, a type 2 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, and dutasteride, a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor. Dual inhibition by dutasteride has been shown to translate into a greater degree and consistency of dihydrotestosterone suppression compared with finasteride. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial showed that finasteride significantly decreased the 7-year risk of prostate cancer in men with prostate specific antigen 3.0 ng/ml or less, while the ongoing Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events study is assessing whether dutasteride decreases the risk of biopsy detectable prostate cancer in men with prostate specific antigen 2.5 to 10 ng/ml and a previous negative biopsy. Small-scale studies have demonstrated potential effects of 5alpha-reductase inhibition in prostate cancer treatment that warrant further investigation, while dutasteride use in men undergoing expectant treatment is also being examined.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibition of 5alpha-reductase represents a valid target for prostate cancer risk reduction and treatment strategies. The greater suppression of dihydrotestosterone observed with agents that inhibit each 5alpha-reductase isoenzyme may translate into enhanced outcomes and studies are under way to test this hypothesis.