Effect of Dutasteride on the risk of Prostate Cancer

The REDUCE study looked at the effect of dutasteride on the risk of developing prostate cancer. This was a 4 year randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. The study showed that men (age range 50-75) who were at increased risk of prostate cancer (PSA between 2.5 and 10 with a previous negative biopsy) had a reduction in risk of 22.8%. There was a significant risk reduction in developing lower grade prostate cancer but it was unclear whether there was a benefit for patients with higher grade disease.

The significance of this study is for patients with a higher risk of developing the disease then dutasteride will reduce the incidence of lower grade prostate cancer and therefore reduce the risk of undergoing potentially harmful treatment.

Andriole GL for the REDUCE study group. N Engl J Med 362: 1192-1202. 2010

Posted by: Richard Brough | November 18, 2010
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