Prostate Cancer News - Prostate Cancer Research Institute

Avodart® (dutasteride) appears to reduce the risk of prostate cancer as detected on biopsy among men at an increased risk of the disease and improves urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among men in the United States. Each year, there are approximately 186,000 new diagnoses and more than 28,000 deaths from the disease.

For common types of cancer such as prostate cancer and breast cancer, there is a great deal of research focused on cancer prevention. Researchers are exploring the role of behavioral factors such as diet and exercise, as well as the use of drugs to reduce cancer risk. Cancer prevention efforts are particularly important for those who are at increased risk of developing cancer.

Avodart is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. The 5-alpha reductase enzymes convert testosterone to another hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the most potent male hormone in the prostate. Avodart is currently used to treat BPH; it has not been approved for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer. Researchers hypothesize, however, that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may reduce prostate cancer growth.

To further explore whether Avodart can reduce risk of prostate cancer, researchers conducted of study among 6,729 men at increased risk of the disease. The men had elevated PSA levels (2.5-10 ng/mL) and a negative prostate biopsy within six months prior to study enrollment.

Study participants were given Avodart or placebo. All participants underwent a biopsy or prostate surgery during the four-year study.

The researchers concluded that Avodart appears to reduce the risk of biopsy-detected prostate cancer while also improving urinary function related to BPH.

An accompanying editorial cautions that by reducing PSA levels, Avodart could lead to a “false sense of security” and delayed diagnosis.2 Patients considering Avodart for prevention of prostate cancer need to be aware that the drug is not yet FDA-approved for this purpose; patients may wish to discuss the potential risks, benefits, and uncertainties with their physician.

1 Andriole GL, Bostwick DG, et al. Effect of Dutasteride on the Risk of Prostate Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010 Apr 1;362(13):1192-1202.

2 Walsh PC. Chemoprevention of prostate cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010 Apr 1;362(13):1237-8.

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		General Prostate Cancer News PCRI is pleased to provide general prostate cancer news items courtesy of CancerConsultants.com Inc. whose mission is “to empower patients with current information on all aspects of the management of Prostate Cancer in order to provide support and hope, as well as to facilitate informed decisions”. Avodart Reduces Risk of Biopsy-detected Prostate Cancer Avodart® (dutasteride) appears to reduce the risk of prostate cancer as detected on biopsy among men at an increased risk of the disease and improves urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1 Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among men in the United States. Each year, there are approximately 186,000 new diagnoses and more than 28,000 deaths from the disease. For common types of cancer such as prostate cancer and breast cancer, there is a great deal of research focused on cancer prevention. Researchers are exploring the role of behavioral factors such as diet and exercise, as well as the use of drugs to reduce cancer risk. Cancer prevention efforts are particularly important for those who are at increased risk of developing cancer. Avodart is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. The 5-alpha reductase enzymes convert testosterone to another hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the most potent male hormone in the prostate. Avodart is currently used to treat BPH; it has not been approved for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer. Researchers hypothesize, however, that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may reduce prostate cancer growth. To further explore whether Avodart can reduce risk of prostate cancer, researchers conducted of study among 6,729 men at increased risk of the disease. The men had elevated PSA levels (2.5-10 ng/mL) and a negative prostate biopsy within six months prior to study enrollment. Study participants were given Avodart or placebo. All participants underwent a biopsy or prostate surgery during the four-year study. Among men receiving Avodart, prostate cancer was detected in fewer patients than in the placebo group: 20% versus 25%. The number of high-grade prostate cancers (Gleason score 7-10) was similar in the two study groups. Men in the Avodart group experienced improved urinary function associated with BPH compared with men in the placebo group. Side effects were similar to those of other studies of Avodart (such as erectile dysfunction and decreased libido), and cardiac failure was also more common in the Avodart group compared with the placebo group. The researchers concluded that Avodart appears to reduce the risk of biopsy-detected prostate cancer while also improving urinary function related to BPH. An accompanying editorial cautions that by reducing PSA levels, Avodart could lead to a “false sense of security” and delayed diagnosis.2 Patients considering Avodart for prevention of prostate cancer need to be aware that the drug is not yet FDA-approved for this purpose; patients may wish to discuss the potential risks, benefits, and uncertainties with their physician. References: 1 Andriole GL, Bostwick DG, et al. Effect of Dutasteride on the Risk of Prostate Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010 Apr 1;362(13):1192-1202. 2 Walsh PC. Chemoprevention of prostate cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010 Apr 1;362(13):1237-8. Latest Prostate Cancer News Study Evaluates Biochemical Recurrence and Mortality in Men with Prostate Cancer (9/9/2010) A biochemical recurrence refers to an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after prostate cancer treatment. In a recent study of U.S. veterans, biochemical recurrence was linked with an increased risk of death from prostate cancer. Nevertheless, a majority of men in this population who had a biochemical recurrence did not die of prostate cancer. These findings were recently published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Brothers of Prostate Cancer Patients Undergo More Diagnostic Testing (9/7/2010) Some of the elevated risk of prostate cancer among those with a family history of the disease may be due to increased prostate cancer testing and detection in this population. These findings were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Death from Other Causes Among Men with Early-stage Prostate Cancer (8/26/2010) Among men with early-stage prostate cancer, assessment of other health problems may help guide prostate cancer treatment decisions; men who are likely to die of causes other than prostate cancer may not benefit from aggressive prostate cancer treatment. These findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Study Evaluates Physician Use of Finasteride for Prostate Cancer Prevention (8/18/2010) Recent research indicates that 64% of urologists and 80% of primary care physicians surveyed do not prescribe finasteride for prevention of prostate cancer in high-risk men. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Provenge® for Hormone-refractory Prostate Cancer (8/11/2010) Among men with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, the immunotherapy agent Provenge® (sipuleucel-T) improves survival by roughly four months. The findings from this Phase III study were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Prostate Cancer News Archives » Copyright ©2005 Cancer Consultants.com. All Rights Reserved. General Prostate Cancer News Archives
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