Emerging drugs for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a 2023 update

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that affects over 50% of men as they enter their fifth decade of life, often leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Primary treatment options include alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. However, these medications can have some side effects, and there is a noticeable dearth of information addressing the long-term use of these medications. Thus, the exploration of all treatment modalities helps ensure patients receive personalized and effective care. Consequently, the primary objective of this review is to identify potential emerging medications for the treatment of BPH.

Areas covered

We conducted an extensive review of articles discussing pharmacotherapy for BPH spanning the last 15 years. Our information gathering process involved Scopus, PubMed-MEDLINE, Cochrane, Wiley Online Library Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the PharmaProjects database. This approach ensures that readers gain an in-depth knowledge of the existing therapeutic agents as well as promising avenues for managing BPH.

Expert opinion

BPH treatment targets a patient’s specific constellation of symptoms. Therefore, a broad knowledge base encompassing various treatment options is paramount in ensuring optimal treatment. Looking forward, the emphasis on personalization promises to reshape the landscape of BPH treatment and improve patient outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
• bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)
• alpha blockers
• pde5 inhibitor
• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor

Declaration of interest

B Chughtai is a consultant for Olympus and Boston Scientific.

D Elterman is a consultant for Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Procept BioRobotics.

K C. Zorn is a consultant and proctor for Boston Scientific, Procept BioRobotics, and investigator for Zenflow Inc.

N Bhojani is a consultant for Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Procept BioRobotics.

A Te is a consultant for Procept BioRobotics, and owner of Urotronic Inc. and Zenflow Inc.

The authors have no other 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 apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

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

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.