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Clinical perspective on apoptosis in the management of the BPH patient

J Fitzpatrick1

  • 1Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. profsurg@iol.ie

The Prostate. Supplement
|November 1, 2000
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists impact prostate cell dynamics, influencing apoptosis. This effect, contributing to clinical benefit, may be specific to balanced quinazoline alpha blockers like terazosin.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Urology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists traditionally target periurethral smooth muscle.
  • Emerging evidence suggests additional intra- and extraprostatic actions of alpha(1)-AR antagonists.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To contextualize the effects of alpha(1)-AR antagonists on prostate cell dynamics.
  • To explore the impact on prostatic proliferation and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent evidence on alpha(1)-AR effects on prostate cell dynamics.
  • Clinical contextualization of findings related to proliferation and apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Certain alpha(1)-AR antagonists affect prostatic apoptosis.
  • This apoptotic effect contributes to the overall clinical profile of these drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The impact on apoptosis is not a class effect for all alpha(1)-AR antagonists.
  • This effect may be specific to balanced quinazoline alpha blockers (BQABs), such as terazosin.

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