A synopsis of drugs currently in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

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.

A phytosterol-enriched saw palmetto supercritical CO2 extract ameliorates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by regulating the inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in a rat model

“…BPH is a common prostate disease affecting older men. It is a major cause of lower urinary tract symptoms deteriorating the quality of life [24]. The BPH pathogenesis has been associated with factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance, imbalance in cell proliferation and death and inflammation [25].…”

Advancing a Comprehensive Approach to the Study of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

“…2122 For LUTS associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), randomized clinical trials (RCT) have demonstrated the efficacy of commonly used pharmacologic therapies in men, but the beneficial effects of treatment may not be generalizable, can be costly because of long-term use, and produce numerous, often intolerable side-effects, which reduces adherence. 23 For interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), numerous medical interventions have been proposed; however, effective treatment remains elusive. Because IC/BPS and CP/CPPS commonly occur with non-urologic chronic pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome) 24 that likely complicate treatment approaches, a comprehensive approach to assess and treat patients with these syndromes may lead to better clinical management and possibly to development of more effective therapies.…”

Curcumin attenuates prostatic hyperplasia caused by inflammation via up-regulation of bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor

“…At present, frequently used therapeutic drugs, including alphablockers and 5-a reductase inhibitors, are not completely effective in certain patients (Ventura et al 2011;Bechis et al 2014). Besides, anti-inflammatory drugs are not included in the list of clinical drugs for BPH treatment (Gupta et al 2015). Furthermore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used in clinics have side effects; thus, these drugs are not suitable for long-term use in patients with BPH (Geusens et al 2013).…”