Finasteride News and Research

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Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen which acts by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used as a treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in low doses, and prostate cancer in higher doses. Finasteride competitively binds to and inhibits steroid type II 5-alpha-reductase in the prostate gland, liver, and skin, thereby interfering with the enzymatic conversion of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and reducing serum DHT levels. The reduction in serum DHT levels results in diminished stimulation of androgen receptors in the nuclei of prostate cells and, so, diminished prostate cell proliferation.

Affordable Care Act that mandates free preventative services goes into effect in September

Starting in September, President Obama's Affordable Care Act will go into effect. The act mandates free preventative services such as cholesterol or breast cancer screenings and tetanus shots. But the question is, will doctors and patients take advantage of these new preventative services? "Unfortunately, thanks to our American healthcare system, we have been programmed to focus on treatment and not prevention," said Dr. David Samadi, a urologic oncologist specializing in prostate cancer treatment and robotic surgery, who is also the Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

26 Aug 2010

Study shows physicians reluctant to use finasteride for prostate cancer

Despite the dramatic results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), which showed a significant reduction in prostate cancer among those taking finasteride, physicians have not increased its use, according to a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

11 Aug 2010

Aphios awarded US patent for compositions, methods for treating diseases involving 5-α reductase enzyme

Aphios® Corporation today announced that it was awarded United States Patent No. 7,744,935 B2 for "Compositions and Methods for Inhibiting 5-α Reductase," granted June 29, 2010. This invention is related to compositions and methods for treating diseases involving the 5-alpha (α) reductase enzyme.

28 Jul 2010

DermaGenoma announces availability of PsoriasisDX Genetic Test as CE Marked product for PsA

Molecular dermatology research and development innovator DermaGenoma, Inc. today announced that the PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic Arthritis is now available as a CE Marked product under the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive.

21 Jul 2010

Top treatments and tests for hair loss

August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month and it's an important time for men and women to talk to their doctors about the newest tests and treatments available to help them. Over 100 million Americans are affected - including 60 million men and 40 million women.

15 Jul 2010

SPET-085 is effective in blocking critical enzyme that leads to BPH: Study

A new study, published in the July issue of Advances in Therapy, revealed that a novel saw palmetto extract, SPET-085, is as effective as finasteride, the standard prescription drug therapy, in blocking the critical enzyme that leads to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

13 Jul 2010

DermaGenoma releases CelluliteDX Genetic Test for women

As summer swimsuit season heats up, women around the world will inspect their looks in the mirror. A majority of them will see cellulite - at some point - but a new genetic test may be able to help them avoid cellulite before anyone notices.

10 Jun 2010

Genetic dermatology tests merge with DermaGenoma

Pioneering genetic tests in key areas of dermatology today merged into one molecular dermatology research and development innovator called DermaGenoma, Inc.

21 Apr 2010

International, four-year study finds dutasteride reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in men

A drug already prescribed to shrink benign, enlarged prostates has been shown to reduce the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis by 23 percent in men with an increased risk of the disease, a large international trial has found. Results are reported April 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

2 Apr 2010

Dutasteride reduces risk of prostate cancer

There is good news for those at high risk for prostate cancer. The drug dutasteride which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline as the drug Avodart, has been found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by a quarter. The drug is at present being used to treat enlarged prostates.

1 Apr 2010

Study indicates Finasteride therapy may benefit women suffering from hair loss

Molecular dermatology research and development innovator HairDX today announced the results of a six month pilot study that presents, for the first time, evidence that genetic mechanisms may predict treatment response to Finasteride for postmenopausal female Androgenetic Alopecia (female hair loss).

24 Feb 2010

Study describing solid-state characterization of three forms of finasteride published

Aptuit, Inc. today announced the publication of new research in the December issue of the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS), which describes the solid-state characterization of three forms of finasteride.

11 Dec 2009

"Hotline" report on finasteride for prevention of prostate cancer

In response to a recent New York Times article that questions why currently available medications designed to treat and prevent some cancers are being ignored, ECRI Institute, an independent nonprofit organization, is offering a roadmap to the evidence on Finasteride for Prevention of Prostate Cancer for free download.

20 Nov 2009

Tips for treating age-related dermatologic concerns

Everyone expects their bodies to change as they get older. From wrinkles and sagging skin to brittle bones and aches and pains, the aging process is inevitable. In addition, there are a number of medical dermatologic conditions that surface with age that can cause people even more stress. Fortunately, dermatologists can help diagnose and treat these conditions no matter when they strike.

11 Nov 2009

New tools needed to identify men and women at risk for the most aggressive cancers

Twenty years of screening for breast and prostate cancer - the most diagnosed cancer for women and men - have not brought the anticipated decline in deaths from these diseases, argue experts from the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in an opinion piece published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association."

21 Oct 2009

Symposium on genetics of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to be held

A symposium about “Pharmacogenomics In Dermatology And Cosmetics” will be presented on Thursday, October 8 to coincide with the 18th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. It will be held at the Kempinski Hotel Bristol - Salon Charlottenburg-Cecilienhof, Kurfürstendamm 27, D-10719, Berlin, Germany.

24 Sep 2009

Prostate cancer: current evidence weighs against population screening

The recent release of two large randomized trials suggests that if there is a benefit of screening, it is, at best, small, says a new report in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

30 Jun 2009

Selenium and vitamin E supplements do not prevent prostate cancer

Initial, independent review of study data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health shows that selenium and vitamin E supplements, taken either alone or together, did not prevent prostate cancer.

28 Oct 2008

Vitamin E and selenium do not prevent prostate cancer

A major study on whether vitamin E and selenium prevent prostate cancer has been stopped because the supplements are not effective and also because there is a suspicion of a risk.

28 Oct 2008

Finasteride for prostate cancer

A comprehensive re-evaluation of the largest prostate cancer prevention study ever completed produced new findings suggesting that men and their doctors should consider a more aggressive approach that includes finasteride to prevent the development of prostate cancer.

19 May 2008