BACKGROUND: Dutasteride has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and reduce clinical progression.
Recent data from studies evaluating 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) for the prevention of prostate cancer, however, suggest 5ARIs, including dutasteride, may be associated with increased incidence of Gleason 8-10 prostate tumours. This meta-analysis was undertaken to quantify the effect of dutasteride on detection of prostate cancer and high-grade prostate cancer.
METHODS: Our meta-analysis includes data from GlaxoSmithKline-sponsored phase III randomized clinical trials (with a study duration of ≥2 years) evaluating the effect of dutasteride, alone or in combination with tamsulosin, to treat BPH or to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer, including Gleason 7-10 and Gleason 8-10, for patients taking either dutasteride, dutasteride plus tamsulosin, tamsulosin alone, or placebo, were evaluated using the Mantel-Haenszel Risk Ratio (MHRR) method of conducting meta-analyses.
RESULTS: The meta-analysis demonstrated that in a population with symptomatic BPH and/or at increased risk of prostate cancer, a statistically significant lower number of detectable prostate cancers was found in men taking dutasteride compared to control groups (MHRR: 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.85). In our analysis, there was no increased risk for Gleason 7-10 (MHRR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.56-1.21) or Gleason 8-10 prostate cancers (MHRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.39-2.53) in men taking dutasteride over control groups. There were several limitations that need to be considered when interpreting these results.
CONCLUSION: These data provide support for the continued use of dutasteride in the treatment of symptomatic BPH patients.
Written by:
Monga N, Sayani A, Rubinger DA, Wilson TH, Su Z. Are you the author?
Medical Affairs, GlaxoSmithKline Canada, Mississauga, ON.
Reference: Can Urol Assoc J. 2013 Mar;7(3):E161-7.
doi: 10.5489/cuaj.477
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23589750
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