Early investigational agents for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia’

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as a clinical entity that affects many people, has always been in the forefront of interest among researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and physicians. Patients with BPH exhibit a diverse range of symptoms, while current treatment options can occasionally cause adverse events. All the aforementioned have led to an increased demand for more effective treatment options.

Areas covered

This review summarizes the outcomes of new medications used in a pre-clinical and clinical setting for the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/BPH and provides information about ongoing trials and future directions in the management of this condition. More specifically, sheds light upon drug categories, such as reductase‑adrenoceptor antagonists, drugs interfering with the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) signaling pathway, onabotulinumtoxinA, vitamin D3 (calcitriol) analogues, selective cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists, talaporfin sodium, inhibitor of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), drugs targeting the hormonal control of the prostate, phytotherapy, and many more.

Expert opinion

Clinical trials are being conducted on a number of new medications that may emerge as effective therapeutic alternatives in the coming years.

KEYWORDS:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• BPH
• medical therapy
• treatment
• novel therapies

Article highlights

• Alpha‑adrenoceptor antagonists.

• Drugs interfering with the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP signaling pathway.

• OnabotulinumtoxinA.

• Vitamin D3 (calcitriol) analogues.

• Selective cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists.

• NX 1207, PRX302 (topsalysin).

• Talaporfin sodium.

• Inhibitor of TGF-b1.

• Drugs targeting the hormonal control of the prostate.

• Phytotherapy.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.