There is a constant debate between both oncologist and advocates about the value and safety of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (Proscar and Avodart) both in the early treatment and later treatment of men with prostate cancer. In fact, I have had an on-going private debate with one very knowledgeable educator advocate over this issue.
I often have urged caution for men who do decide to use them in their treatment regime. I do not say they should not be used, I do want to be sure that a man understands the conflict, including the potential up sides and potential downsides prior to making their decision whether to include 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in their treatment.
The FDA has now announced that it is informing health care professionals that the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the labels for the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor class of drugs has been revised to include new safety information about the increased risk of being diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer, although the risk appears to be low.
The FDA has made this decision based on the new safety information derived from its review of two large, randomized controlled trials––the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) and the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial––which evaluated daily use of finasteride (Proscar), 5 mg, versus placebo for 7 years and daily use of dutasteride (Avodart), 0.5 mg, versus placebo for 4 years, respectively, for the reduction in the risk of prostate cancer in men at least 50 years of age.
The trials demonstrated an overall reduction in prostate cancer diagnoses with finasteride and dutasteride treatment. This overall reduction was due to a decreased incidence of lower risk forms of prostate cancer. However, both trials showed an increased incidence of high-grade prostate cancer with finasteride and dutasteride treatment.
The FDA said physicians should also be aware of the following:
• Prior to initiating therapy with 5-ARIs, perform an appropriate evaluation to rule out other urologic conditions, including prostate cancer, that might mimic BPH.
• Treatment with 5-ARIs causes an approximate 50% reduction in PSA values by 6 months; however, individual patients receiving 5-ARIs may experience varying decreases in PSA values. Therefore, any confirmed increase in PSA while on a 5-ARI may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if that PSA is in the normal range of men not taking a 5-ARI.
• 5-ARIs are not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer.
I am sure this debate will continue, but men need to know about the contrivers as they make their decisions. We all are entitled to full disclosure.
Joel T. Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.
There is no controversy (contrivers?)here. The 5-a reductase drugs do not CAUSE high grade cancer. The drugs indeed shrink the prostate which is their intended purpose. This smaller gland makes biopsies more precise and any higher grade disease more likely to be encountered on biopsy. And if I had higher grade G score PCa I would want it known and not hidden.
No controversy. Drugs act as intended and have an added diagnosis plus.
John- I know your argument, but disagree with the certainty of your conclusion. Shrinking the prostate will increase the number of positive cores and yes you could argue that with more positive cores there would be statistically be a more likely chance of finding that hidden and more aggressive disease. Perhaps, a more valid conclusion for both of us is that we do not know the true answer (so, what is new with prostate cancer). Either one of us might be correct, or maybe we are both correct. The FDA has drawn the same conclusion I have, but they could also be wrong. It seems to me that there is a controversy – Joel