Three months' treatment with the α₁-blocker alfuzosin does not affect total or transition zone volume of the prostate

Treatment with α₁-adrenergic receptor blockers improves lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that induction of apoptosis in prostate tissue could be a mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefit. This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial enrolled 536 men with LUTS who were treated with alfuzosin (10 or 15mg) once daily or placebo for 3 months. Total prostate and transition zone volume was measured by standardized transrectal ultrasound measurements at baseline and 3 months. Total prostate volume increased by 0.4ml from baseline in placebo patients but decreased by -0.25ml in the combined alfuzosin groups. Percentage change was not statistically significantly different between the placebo and alfuzosin groups. Changes in transition zone volumes from baseline were similar in both treatment arms; percentage change was not statistically significantly different between the placebo and alfuzosin groups. Volume changes did not correlate with prostate volumes at baseline. Overall, neither total prostate nor transition zone volume increased or decreased systematically within the 3-month treatment period. If alfuzosin-induced apoptosis in prostate tissue, it was not evident by a measurable change in prostate volume after 3 months' treatment. Further analysis at 1 and 2 years will determine the effect of longer-term treatment.