The Prostate
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Review
Apoptotic impact of alpha1-blockers on prostate cancer growth: a myth or an inviting reality?
Pharmacological manipulation or genetic targeting of the major apoptosis regulators, such as bcl-2, caspases, and inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), represent clinically attractive avenues towards effective therapeutic strategies for advanced prostate cancer. A wealth of evidence established the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists to be clinically effective in relieving the symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing prostatic smooth muscle tone. This action alone however does not fully account for the long-term clinical response to these drugs in BPH patients. ⋯ This evidence challenges conventional knowledge of the mechanism of action of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists, and points to a new therapeutic value for these drugs by providing a differential molecular basis for their anti-tumor efficacy. The present review focuses on the characterization of the apoptotic/anti-angiogenic effect of quinazoline-based alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists against prostate cancer cells and discusses the clinical significance of this action in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.