Propecia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Propecia, including details on baldness, hair loss, side-effects, results.

Finasteride targets prostate vascularity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell adhesion of benign and malignant prostate cells.

Sutton MT, Yingling M, Vyas A, Atiemo H, Borkowski A, Jacobs SC, Kyprianou N

Division of Urology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of finasteride, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, clinically used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on prostate tumor vascularity, apoptosis, and cell adhesion in situ and in vitro. METHODS: Prostate specimens from BPH patients treated with finasteride for 1-12 months (n = 13), or without finasteride treatment (n = 14), were evaluated for apoptosis (TUNEL assay), microvessel density (Factor VIII), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) immunoreactivity. In vitro, the effect of finasteride was investigated in benign prostate cells, BPH-1, and its tumorigenic derivatives, CAFTD-01 and CAFTD-03, using Hoechst staining and cell adhesion assays. RESULTS: A significant increase in the apoptotic index, and reduced microvessel density and PSA expression were detected in prostates from finasteride-treated patients, compared to controls (P < 0.01). In vitro finasteride led to a significant decrease in prostate epithelial cell adhesion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Finasteride can induce prostate apoptosis and reduce tissue vascularity by inhibiting epithelial cell adhesion. This evidence supports that finasteride has apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects against benign and malignant prostate.

Published 3 July 2006 in Prostate, 66(11): 1194-202.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Propecia Research Today. All Rights Reserved.