A Trial of PROSCAR (Finasteride) Versus Placebo in Men With an Initial Negative Prostate Biopsy

Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess whether six months of daily finasteride (PROSCAR), following an initial negative prostate biopsy, will improve the detection of prostate cancer on repeat biopsy. 144 subjects with an initial negative prostate biopsy will be randomized to receive either finasteride or placebo for 6 months. The subjects will undergo a second prostate biopsy following drug intervention. PSA (prostate specific antigen) measurements, testosterone levels, and quality of life questionnaires will also be assessed during the study. The two groups will then be compared.

Timeline

Start

2008-02

Primary completion

2012-12

Completion

2012-12

Publications

• Background Kaplan SA, Ghafar MA, Volpe MA, Lam JS, Fromer D, Te AE. PSA response to finasteride challenge in men with a serum PSA greater than 4 ng/ml and previous negative prostate biopsy: preliminary study. Urology. 2002 Sep;60(3):464-8. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(02)01760-0.
• Background Handel LN, Agarwal S, Schiff SF, Kelty PJ, Cohen SI. Can effect of finasteride on prostate-specific antigen be used to decrease repeat prostate biopsy? Urology. 2006 Dec;68(6):1220-3. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2006.08.1070. Epub 2006 Dec 4.
• Background Thompson IM, Chi C, Ankerst DP, Goodman PJ, Tangen CM, Lippman SM, Lucia MS, Parnes HL, Coltman CA Jr. Effect of finasteride on the sensitivity of PSA for detecting prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Aug 16;98(16):1128-33. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj307.
• Background Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Goodman PJ, Lucia MS, Parnes HL, Lippman SM, Coltman CA Jr. Finasteride improves the sensitivity of digital rectal examination for prostate cancer detection. J Urol. 2007 May;177(5):1749-52. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2007.01.071.

Drugs

Indications