Can prostate epithelial content predict response to hormonal treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia?

There are large interindividual differences in response to medical therapy for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Selection of patients for alpha-blocker versus hormonal treatment is often based more on assumptions than on well-documented knowledge. A more scientifically based decision of therapy has a potential for economical savings and increased effectiveness.

We performed morphometry on prostate biopsy specimens and determined the amount of stroma, epithelium, and glandular lumen (pretreatment characteristics) in 34 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia before 24 weeks of androgen suppressive therapy. Androgen suppressive therapy consisted of either the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist leuprolide depot (3.75 mg intramuscularly every 28 days) or the nonsteroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide (50 mg/day orally). The evaluation of the clinical response (effectiveness parameters) was based on changes in prostate volume, peak urinary flow rate, symptom score, and bladder outlet obstruction.

A large prostate volume before treatment was associated with more pronounced symptom score improvement, but neither prostate-specific antigen nor any of the parameters of tissue composition used (percentage of epithelium, epithelial volume, and stromal/epithelial ratio) predicted a favorable response to hormonal treatment.

The pretreatment variables that are readily available at present have a limited role in helping clinicians to decide the optimal medical treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.