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Effect of finasteride on free and total serum prostate‐specific antigen in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Author(s) -
Matzkin H.,
Barak M.,
Braf Z.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1996.00143.x
Subject(s) - finasteride , medicine , urology , hyperplasia , prostate , prostate specific antigen , endocrinology , cancer
Objective To examine changes in the free‐to‐total (f/t) serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ratio among men treated with finasteride for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Patients and methods Blood samples were taken from 20 men (mean age 71 years, range 61–87) before and after a minimum of 9 months of treatment with finasteride and the f/tPSA ratio determined using the Immulite assay system. Results Although mean total and free PSA levels decreased significantly, the mean f/tPSA ratio increased only slightly and not significantly; the ratios remained unchanged in men with an initially low or high (<>10%) ratio. Conclusions Concern has been expressed over the loss of the discriminatory power of serum PSA in a patient receiving treatment with finasteride. The f/tPSA ratio, currently used to help differentiate benign from malignant processes in the prostate, remains valid during treatment with finasteride; it does not affect the f/tPSA ratio.