Recurrence-Role of Avodart and Metformine

Age 60, RRP Apr 2010, PT3A NO MO,Gleason 7[3+4] EPE and PIN. PSA remained undetectable for two years then started increasing and present PSA is 0.17 doubling time about 8 months.I was planning for next options and consulted two med-oncos and a radiation-onco. A well known medical oncologist has suggested avodart and metformine to slow the pc growth, increase the doubling time and to keep IMRT/ADT for future use if and when needed. Views and suggestions are requested.Thanks.

Good idea! I don't know if it will work for you, but what is the downside? You might talk to him about taking statins, baby aspirin, soy isoflavones, Pomi-T, and gamma-tocotrienol as well. Changes to diet and lifestyle/exercise seem to have benefited many too.

- Allen

Hi Hummbug,
The way the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Avodart and Proscar) work is by suppressing the formation of the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They do that by inhibiting an enzyme that does the conversion naturally.

If they do their job, less testosterone is converted to DHT and therefore the level of testosterone increases. The increase is individually variable.

RalphV

Hummbug,

DHT is up to 10x more powerful at activating the androgen receptor compared to T. So the small increase in T because it can no longer metabolize into DHT is a good trade off. T will metabolize into estrogen if the enzymes aren't available to change it into DHT. But we're talking very small amounts here, and you can never get rid of every last drop. Your body will always find ways to make some amount of androgens, even if it has to use casodex as an androgen.

- Allen