The Role of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Early Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells

The study investigated the efficacy of Finasteride, a 5α reductase type 2 inhibitor, and MK386, a 5α reductase type 1 inhibitor, on cell proliferation in primary cultures from patients with prostatic diseases. It involved 30 primary cultures from prostatic carcinoma (PCa), 6 from high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 10 from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Both inhibitors reduced cell proliferation, with Finasteride showing greater activity in Gleason 2–6 PCa cultures, while MK386 was more effective in Gleason 7–10 PCa cultures. The study concluded that 5αR inhibitors played a significant role in the early growth of PCa cells and highlighted the need for combined anti-hormonal treatments to inhibit stromal cell function in advanced and androgen-resistant tumor progression.