Selective estrogen receptor modulators for BPH: new factors on the ground

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Urology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Current benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatments, including 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and α1-adrenoceptor antagonists, offer suboptimal management of lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Estrogens play a significant role in BPH development and management, acting through various tissue and cell-specific receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the beneficial actions of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and ERβ-selective ligands in the context of BPH.
• To highlight novel therapeutic strategies targeting estrogen receptors or estrogen metabolism for BPH management.

Main Methods:

• Review of in vitro studies using human prostate cell lines.
• Review of in vivo animal studies investigating the effects of SERMs and ERβ-selective ligands.

Main Results:

• SERMs demonstrate anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms relevant to BPH.
• These agents inhibit various growth factors implicated in BPH progression.
• Evidence supports the role of estrogen signaling in BPH pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targeting.

Conclusions:

• SERMs and ERβ-selective ligands represent a unique and novel approach to BPH management.
• Targeting estrogen receptors or estrogen metabolism offers a promising alternative to current suboptimal therapies.
• Further research into these agents could lead to improved treatments for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH.