Effects On Dihydrotestosterone Regulated Gene Expression In Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Or Prostate Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Dutasteride is used in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement (BPH).It inhibits
conversion of testosterone (T) into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to stop
prostate (and possibly prostate cancer) growth. DHT regulates the expression of certain genes
in the prostate. The pharmacodynamics of DHT reduction in the prostate were never
investigated until now, as every measurement would require prostate tissue retrieval, which
is medically and ethically unacceptable. A recently developed test is able to quantitatively
measure gene expression in prostate-borne cells, in urine sediments after prostate massage.
By measuring this gene expression in patients using dutasteride, it has become possible to
assess the pharmacodynamics of gene expression reduction, which is representative for the
pharmacodynamics of DHT reduction. Repeated prostate tissue sampling has therefore become
unnecessary. This newly gained knowledge will lead to a better understanding of the action of
dutasteride and will possibly help improve treatment of symptomatic BPH (Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia) and PrCa (Prostate Cancer)in the future.