Inhibition of 5α-reductase has the potential to be extremely useful in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the two largest trials to investigate the use of such drugs showed that, although the overall incidence of cancer was reduced, detected tumors were more aggressive than in patients treated with placebo. In this Review, the authors consider the mechanism of 5α-reductase inhibitors in the treatment of prostate cancer, and discuss the controversies surrounding their use in clinical practice.
- Lucas P. Nacusi
- Donald J. Tindall