title: Subtypes of alpha1-adrenoceptors in BPH: future prospects for personalized medicine.
abstract: The alpha(1)-adrenoceptors (alpha(1)-ARs) are involved in regulation of prostatic smooth muscle tone, and are a critical mediator of lower urinary tract symptoms and pathophysiology in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As a result, alpha(1)-AR antagonists are now used as first-line medical treatment for BPH. Three alpha(1)-AR subtypes (alpha(1a)-AR, alpha(1b)-AR, alpha(1d)-AR) have been identified on the basis of results of pharmacological and molecular cloning studies; however, the precise physiological role of individual alpha(1)-AR subtypes remains elusive. The expression levels of alpha(1)-AR subtypes in the prostate differ between patients, and individual differences in the genetic background of patients with BPH might be associated with variation in responses to subtype-selective alpha(1)-AR antagonists. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism and microarray-based gene expression profiling studies might provide an opportunity to identify markers that predict clinical response and therapeutic tolerance to alpha(1)-AR antagonists. Further genomic studies will refine our knowledge of the functions of alpha(1)-AR subtypes, lead to new strategies for the clinical management of BPH and, perhaps, enable personalized treatment of BPH in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan. ykojima@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Yutaro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Gozoh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsujimoto
authors.forename: Kenjiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohri
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D003663:Decision Trees; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1