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Prostate tissue composition and response to finasteride in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia
L S Marks1, A W Partin, G J Gormley
1Department of Surgery/Urology, UCLA School of Medicine, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Finasteride significantly reduces prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Pre-treatment inner gland epithelium predicts treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
Background:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
- Symptomatic BPH significantly impacts quality of life.
- Current treatments aim to alleviate symptoms and reduce prostate size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify prostate tissue changes caused by finasteride.
- To identify predictors of finasteride response in men with symptomatic BPH.
- To evaluate finasteride's efficacy in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- 6-month treatment with finasteride or placebo.
- Assessed clinical, chemical, volumetric, and histological outcomes.
Main Results:
- Finasteride significantly decreased prostate-specific antigen (48%), dihydrotestosterone (74%), and prostate volume (21%).
- Finasteride induced a 55% decrease in inner gland epithelium (p < 0.01).
- Pretreatment inner gland epithelial content correlated with prostate volume decrease (tau = 0.58, p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Finasteride suppresses prostate epithelium, particularly in the inner gland.
- Epithelial tissue quantification predicts finasteride-induced prostate volume reduction.
- Supports the concept of transition zone primacy in symptomatic BPH.