2020 pilot study on benefit of alpha blockers which I wish I had known about when I had local radiotherapy

[Graham49]

A Pilot retrospective analysis of alpha-blockers on recurrence in men with localised prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy

Open access

Published: 18 May 2020

volume 10, Article number: 8191 (2020)

Scientific Reports

Jordan Hart, Briohny Spencer, Catherine M McDermott, Russ Chess-Williams, Donna Sellers, David Christie & Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie

Abstract

While alpha-blockers are commonly used to reduce lower urinary tract symptoms in prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, their impact on response to radiotherapy remains unknown. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to retrospectively determine if alpha-blockers use, influenced response to radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer. In total, 303 prostate cancer patients were included, consisting of 84 control (alpha-blocker naïve), 72 tamsulosin and 147 prazosin patients. The main outcomes measured were relapse rates (%), time to biochemical relapse (months) and PSA velocity (ng/mL/year). Recurrence free survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Prazosin significantly reduced biochemical relapse at both two and five-years (2.72%, 8.84%) compared to control (22.61%, 34.52%). Recurrence free survival was also significantly higher in the prazosin group. This remained after multivariable analysis (HR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04–0.26, p < 0.001). Patients receiving prazosin had a 3.9 times lower relative risk of biochemical relapse compared to control. Although not statistically significant, tamsulosin and prazosin extended recurrence free survival by 13.15 and 9.21 months respectively. We show for the first time that prazosin may reduce risk of prostate cancer recurrence and delay time to biochemical relapse and provides justification for prospective studies to examine its potential as an adjunct treatment option for localised prostate cancer.

[6357axbz]

This seems like it’s about localized, no advanced PCa

[Graham49 in reply to 6357axbz]

I had SBRT for oligometastatic PCa. Since I take blood pressure medication anyway, changing to an alpha blocker might have helped

[Shorehousejam in reply to Graham49]

The above makes it if Tamsulosin is better at 13%

[MateoBeach]

Multiple other studies have shown that Prazosin and also Doxazosin both inhibit PCa progression, recurrence and new metastasis. But not Tamsulosin. I take Doxazosin but Prazosin also good for those with PC and can also benefit from BP control.

[Scout4answers in reply to MateoBeach]

See my response below...

Does Doxazosin have an effect on blood pressure similar to Prazosin?

[MateoBeach in reply to Scout4answers]

Yes, same effects on BP as Prazosin. But longer half life (10-12 hours) so very steady effect around the clock when dosed morning and bedtime. Prazosin has just 2.5 hour half life which is probably why your BP was erratic.

See this study on Doxazosin and PCa metastasis: ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.120...

[Scout4answers in reply to MateoBeach]

Thanks I will run this by my urologist and see if he will be willing to change my meds again

Or maybe just buy it from India

[Scout4answers]

I had been taking Prazosin for about 1 year( based on a study I found that said it stopped PCa progression) but had to stop a week ago because my blood pressure had become very erratic... As high as 179/97 and as low as 101/52, sometimes in the same day. My urologist caught this during a routine visit as I had asked him to put me on Prazosin for his PCa preventive properties.

Once I stopped my blood pressure has been very steady around 130 /80.

I am back on silodosin

Not sure how to go forward. Open to your thoughts

[j-o-h-n]

"might have helped"..... And that's exactly what I think about if I hadn't shown up for my first wedding.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/12/2023 7:06 PM EST