A Trial of PROSCAR (Finasteride) Versus Placebo in Men With an Initial Negative Prostate Biopsy

The purpose of this study is to assess whether six months of daily finasteride (PROSCAR), following an initial negative prostate biopsy, will improve the detection of prostate cancer on repeat biopsy.

144 subjects with an initial negative prostate biopsy will be randomized to receive either finasteride or placebo for 6 months. The subjects will undergo a second prostate biopsy following drug intervention. PSA (prostate specific antigen) measurements, testosterone levels, and quality of life questionnaires will also be assessed during the study. The two groups will then be compared.

5.0. Study Design and Treatment 5.1. Study Design This is a randomized, two-arm, double blind, placebo controlled study of daily PROSCAR® or placebo for 6 months in men with an initial negative prostate biopsy.

5.1.1. Biopsy The TRUS guided biopsy, to be carried out at Visit 4, will be performed by one physician. The biopsy will be performed as per the standard protocol at UHN, including 13-15 cores. The physician performing the biopsy will be blinded to the initial biopsy results and the PSA change over time. Before biopsy, a DRE will be performed. Aside from the standard biopsy scheme, suspicious areas on TRUS can be further biopsied. (e.g. a hypoechoic nodule).

5.2. Methods for Accrual and Randomization: Patients with an initial negative prostate biopsy that was performed at UHN and seen at the Prostate Center of the Princess Margaret Hospital will be considered for enrolment. Randomization by a random numbers table will be performed in blocks of 4 patients. After patients are deemed eligible for the study, the central office at Merck will be contacted and patient assignment given. The code will match the study drug label and the drug shipment will contain a blinded allocation envelope. The investigators, study participants and research coordinators will be blinded to the intervention.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Initial biopsy, performed at UHN, of at least 8 cores with no evidence of cancer (HGPIN or ASAP allowed)
* PSA \< 20 ng/ml
* Able to swallow and retain oral medication
* Able to read and write (IPSS questionnaire is self-administered), understand instructions related to study procedures and to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Glucocorticoids, except inhaled or topical, are not permitted within 3 months prior to visit one.
* Concurrent and previous use within the past 12 months of the following medications: Finasteride (PROSCAR, Propecia), Dutasteride (Avodart), Any other investigational 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, Anabolic steroids, drugs with antiandrogenic properties.
* Participation in an investigational or marketed drug trial within the 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug or anytime during the study period.
* Abnormal liver function test (greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal) for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, or alkaline phosphatase; or bilirubin \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
* Serum creatinine \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
* Any unstable serious co-existing medical conditions including but not limited to myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmias, clinically evident congestive heart failure, or cerebrovascular accident within 6 months prior to screening visit; uncontrolled diabetes or peptic ulcer disease which is uncontrolled by medical management.
* History of any illness (including psychiatric) that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the results of the study or pose additional risk to the subject.
* Known hypersensitivity to any 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor or to any drug chemically related to finasteride.