Association of prediagnostic prescription of 5α-reductase inhibitor with bladder cancer progression in South Korean men

The antiandrogenic effect of 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) has been investigated for its role in preventing male-predominant cancers. A retrospective cohort study with 22,845 males with bladder cancer (BC) in South Korea found that patients prescribed prediagnostically a 5-ARI compared to an α-blocker had a lower risk of mortality, bladder instillation, and radical cystectomy. The authors conclude that the study suggests an association between prediagnostic prescription of 5-ARIs and reduced risk of BC progression, although a prospective trial is needed to validate this conclusion.