title: A synopsis of drugs currently in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease among men and significantly impacts quality of life by causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Current medical therapies are not always adequate in controlling LUTS or slowing disease progression, and there is unmet need for new effective therapeutic options.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the standard current medical therapies for BPH which include the use of α-1 blockers, 5-α reductase inhibitors, combination therapy and PDE inhibitors. Following this, the authors then discuss new therapies that are currently undergoing preclinical and clinical investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Existing preclinical and clinical trials have highlighted many promising therapies to treat BPH. Further investigation with larger clinical trials is needed to establish these drugs as standard therapies. As the number of drugs in the arsenal against BPH continues to grow, providers and patients will have to engage in a discussion that weighs the risks and benefits of each therapy.
authors.affiliation: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine , 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 , USA.
authors.forename: Kanika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yezdani
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sotelo
authors.forename: Jeanny B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Aragon-Ching
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Phase I/II clinical trials; benign prostatic hyperplasia; lower urinary tract symptoms; phosphodiesterase inhibitors; α-1 blockers