Hormonal treatment for male-pattern hair loss: implications for cancer of the prostate?

One of the sad reminders of advancing years is malepattern hair loss (MPHL). Not only is a highly reflective pate the source of many cruel jokes, but the condition is also associated with depression, suicide and a lack of selfesteem, as well as perceived discrimination [1,2]. Therefore it is hardly surprising that research into MPHL has been targeted by several pharmaceutical companies worldwide for many years, as a panacea for this condition would certainly be in great demand. Since early March 2002, finasteride 1 mg (PropeciaTM, Merck Sharp and Dohme) has been available in the UK to patients whose doctors are prepared to prescribe it privately. Predictably, this launch has achieved much media publicity. With the first 5-year study having recently appeared in a medical journal [3], encouraging results have been reported in treating MPHL and this is bound to further fuel the demand for finasteride 1 mg. Herein we discuss the possible implications of manipulating testosterone metabolism in MPHL in relation to prostate cancer.