Slowing progression

A recent Canadian study called REDEEM has shown that a drug used to treat enlarged prostate (BPH) may reduce the risk of progression in men with early prostate cancer who are on active surveillance.

In the study, presented at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, 302 men aged 48 to 82 with low-risk prostate cancer (PSA less than 11, Gleason score 6 or under) were randomized to treatment with dutasteride (a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) or placebo. They were followed for three years, and had 12-core biopsies at the beginning of the study, 12 months and 36 months.

The study authors reported a reduction of close to 40% in risk of disease progression for men in the dutasteride group. In the final biopsy, 36% of men on dutasteride, compared to 23% of men in the placebo group, showed no sign of cancer. Men in the dutasteride group also had less anxiety related to prostate cancer. There was no indication of a greater risk of high-grade cancer in the group on the study drug.

These findings aren’t yet published, but may give men with early prostate cancer something more to think about in considering active surveillance rather than immediate treatment.