1 April 2010
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research into dutasteride
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine which suggests that the drug, dutasteride, can reduce prostate cancer diagnosis rates in men with an increased risk of the disease.
Dr Helen Rippon, Head of Research Management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, explains: “That this new research into how dutasteride, which is already routinely used to treat benign prostate enlargement, can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer is very much welcome - after all, prevention is often better than the cure.
“This four year trial looking specifically at whether dutasteride could reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer in men who already had an elevated PSA level and were therefore judged to be at a higher risk of developing the disease*, has had interesting results. The findings of the study found that dutasteride was able to prevent or slow the development of prostate cancer in about one in five men who would have developed the disease during the course of the study. Of course, we don’t yet know what will happen to these men in the coming years and whether they will still go on to develop the disease and it will be many years before we know if the drug can provide any long term benefit to men.
“The study also provides one particular note of caution. There is a suggestion that while dutasteride reduces the overall number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer significantly, those men who do develop the disease are more likely to experience an aggressive cancer. It is important to remember that the number of men in the study who did develop an aggressive prostate cancer was very small and this is in no way conclusive – this result could also be an consequence of the way the study was designed rather than the drug itself, and needs further investigation so that we can fully understand the risks to men involved.
“Like many drugs, dutasteride does come with side effects - if it is decided that the drug should be made available on the NHS for men at a higher risk of prostate cancer, then those men will need to discuss the pros and cons of taking it with their doctor before making a decision. The suggested strategy of targeting this new drug at those men at a higher risk of prostate cancer is a realistic one – it is neither feasible nor desirable to medicate the entire male population.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The drug is effective because it blocks the conversion of the male hormone, testosterone, to a more potent form known as DHT and, in doing so, shrinks the prostate gland. Like the benign condition, prostate tumours feed on testosterone, so it is logical to see if this drug can have the same benefits in preventing prostate cancer growth.
These men were deemed to be 'higher risk' because they had an elevated PSA level, the majority of men in the study did not develop prostate cancer. Amongst those that did, no men died of the disease.
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk