[Novel therapeutics strategies in benign hypertrophy of prostate management]

The benign hypertrophy of prostate (BPH) is a progressive disease which can assign all the men to various degrees, involving an unquestionable repercussion on the quality of life. The two types of drugs commonly used for the treatment of the symptomatic BPH are the inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase and the alpha-blockers. They last one relatively long action, making it possible to prevent occurred of complications like the acute urinary retention or the prostatic recourse to the surgery. A risk of progression and development of urinary complications can require an association of these two therapeutic agents in order to obtain a faster and durable improvement of symptomatology. The results of various studies are reported which highlight the interest of this therapeutic combination and underline the contribution of an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase among patients presenting a significant prostatic volume and a high PSA. Taking into account the risk of bad compliance and side effects with the long course, after a treatment combined for six months by tamsulosine and dutasteride, the stop of the alpha-blocker allows a maintenance of the situation obtained. Lastly, several clinical studies made it possible to draw the attention to the potentially preventive action of the inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the development of the prostate cancer by its action to the DHT. These observational studies left the place to the PCPT study which made it possible to confirm a reduction in the prevalence of the cancer of prostate in a group of patients treated by finasteride compared with a placebo group. Currently, the preventive potential role of the dutasteride is also the subject of a study (REDUCE). These results are necessary in order to better define the interest and the role of the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase in a strategic attitude of prostate cancer prevention.