Steroid biosynthesis in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): Effectof Degarelix and relationship to cell growth

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive condition in the aging male characterized

by increased abnormal prostate growth leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). BPH affects

from 25% of men in their fifties to over 50% of men over 80 years. While surgical intervention

remains the main treatment of BPH, it poses the risk of serious side effects. New compounds under

investigation for BPH treatment include GnRH antagonists used for the treatment of prostate cancer

(PCa). These drugs at low doses induce a transient and moderate reduction of testosterone (T) levels

resulting in reduced LUTS. The studies proposed will elucidate the potential mechanism of action for

this class of drugs as well as critical differences in metabolism between BPH and PCa. The GnRH

antagonist Degarelix developed by the sponsor Ferring has been approved for use in prostate cancer

though a lot of mechanistic effects are to be elucidated. Currently, alternative usage of this drug is…tobecontinued

Faculty Supervisor:

Vassilios Papadopoulos

Student:

Partner:

Ferring International;Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Program:

Accelerate

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