Effect of 12 Weeks Treatment With Tadalafil vs Placebo on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study on Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms to Assess Changes in Pressure Flow Study and in Molecular Profile of Prostatic Tissue After 12 Weeks Treatment With Tadalafil.

At present time several preclinical and clinical study have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5)-inhibitors for LUTS/BPH (lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia) patients with or without erectile dysfunction. However, the link between clinical outcomes (symptoms scores), functional activity (urodynamic findings) and molecular pathways, in particular regarding inflammatory pattern (molecular analyses), has not been previously investigated. Aim of present study is to assess, for the first time in literature, changes in pressure flow study (PFS) and changes in molecular profile of prostatic tissue (inflammatory and tissue remodeling markers) in men treated for 12 weeks with tadalafil 5 mg compared with placebo and to correlate these data with changes in symptoms scores (IPSS, International Prostatic Symptoms Score) in men with LUTS secondary to BPH refractory to alpha blockers.

43 male subjects affected by BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) planned for simple prostatectomy will be randomized to tadalafil 5 mg - 1 film-coated tablet orally once daily for 12 weeks.

43 male subjects affected by BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) planned for simple prostatectomy will be randomized to placebo.

BPH-associated inflammatory symptoms will be assessed by using the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). BPH-associated LUTS will be assessed by using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (Vcomp), post void residual volume (PVR) will be evaluated. An abdominal ultrasound immediately after voiding for uroflowmetry will be performed in order to determine the PVR.

BPH-associated prostate inhomogeneity and presence of micro-calcifications will be assessed by using male genital tract male genital tract colour-Doppler ultrasonography.

BPH-associated prostate inflammation, fibrosis, and hypoxia will be measured by immunohistochemical and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses of inflammatory-, fibrosis- and hypoxia-related markers.

Variation in serum inflammation markers CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

Metabolic parameters will be evaluated (glycaemia, insulinemia, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, HbA1c, mean arterial pressure, waist circumference, body mass index)

Erectile function will be assessed by using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score.

Inclusion Criteria: adult male subjects planned to undergo simple prostatectomy (TURP, Transurethral resection of the prostate, or open prostatectomy) for benign prostatic hyperplasia; treatment with alpha-blockers (Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/die) being capable of giving informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: participation in another clinical study; known or suspected presence of prostatic cancer or PSA (prostate specific antigen) value >10 ng/mL; suspected lack of the participant's compliance; known severe allergies or hypersensitivity to the study drug (active substance or excipients of the formulation); nown neurogenic bladder (i.e. Parkinson's disease); suspected or proven urinary infections; presence of bladder stone.

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