title: 5-Alpha-reductase inhibition and prostate cancer prevention.
abstract: Studies of prostate biology support the concept that dihydrotestosterone is the principal androgen responsible for normal and hyperplastic growth of the prostate gland. Cancer is a process of malignant transformation evolving over time, involving cellular growth and division. Therefore, an altered endocrine state, such as suppression of dihydrotestosterone activity, may have an impact on prostate cells inhibiting carcinogenic transformation. In vitro and in vivo preclinical observations support this hypothesis. A placebo-controlled randomized trial using finasteride, an inhibitor of the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, is planned. The endpoint of this trial will be reduction of prostate cancer incidence.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: O W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Brawley
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000502:physiology; D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase