Prostate cancer prevention by short-term anti-androgens: the rationale behind design of pilot studies

This paper sets out to review evidence that low-grade prostate inflammation is a precursor of prostate cancer development and the mechanisms by which it may account for the more than 50 years natural history from first infection to cancer. Though as yet there is no clear-cut specific associated infection, there is clear evidence that some sexually acquired infections damage the prostate and increase serum PSA with slow recovery back to normal. The demonstration that low-level solar exposure is protective provides a possible mechanism due to vitamin D's known benefit through action to boost macrophage-mediated immune surveillance. This observation and data demonstrating that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against prostate cancer provide the justification for trials of these two agents combined with short course intermittent anti-androgen therapy in populations at high risk of prostate cancer.