The Role of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Early Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells
January 2005
in “
Urologia Journal
”
TLDR 5αR inhibitors help slow early prostate cancer cell growth, suggesting combined treatments are needed.
The study investigated the effects of Finasteride, a 5α reductase type 2 inhibitor, and MK386, a 5α reductase type 1 inhibitor, on cell proliferation in primary cultures from prostatic carcinoma (PCa), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Involving 30 PCa, 6 HGPIN, and 10 BPH cultures, the study found that both inhibitors reduced PCa cell proliferation, with Finasteride being more effective in Gleason 2–6 PCa and MK386 in Gleason 7–10 PCa. Finasteride's anti-proliferative effects were mediated by stromal cells, while MK386 directly inhibited epithelial 5αR1. The study concluded that 5αR inhibitors played a significant role in early PCa cell growth and highlighted the need for combined anti-hormonal treatments to inhibit PCa progression, even in advanced stages.
