Beta-blockers along with radical prostatectomy reduce risk of prostate cancer recurrence: JAMA

Oslo, Norway: In a new study conducted by Shivanthe Sivanesan and team, it was found that the perioperative use of nonselective beta-blockers (nsBBs) at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP) is related to less treatment initiation for cancer recurrence. The findings of this were published in the Journal of American Medical Association.

The perioperative phase has gained prominence as a window of opportunity for cancer recurrence prevention. The body of evidence supporting a role for nsBBs in cancer therapy is growing, and one of the proposed mechanisms of action is preventing cancer recurrence related to perioperative stress and catecholamine. The purpose of this study was to see if using nsBBs during radical prostatectomy is related to a decreased rate of therapy for prostate cancer recurrence.

This cohort analysis examined data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, the Norwegian Patient Registry, the Norwegian Prescription Database, and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry that were obtained prospectively. This study included 11 117 treatment-naive patients with prostate cancer (ie, no prior hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy) who underwent radical prostatectomy in Norway between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015, with a minimum progression-free follow-up of 6 months, out of 12 298 eligible patients. The data was analyzed between April 20, 2020, and April 30, 2021. The use of nsBBs and Selective Beta- Blockers (sBBs) at the time of radical prostatectomy was the source of the exposure. The primary outcome was treatment for cancer recurrence following radical prostatectomy (defined as the start of hormone therapy, radiation, or chemotherapy) or cancer-specific death if no treatment was found.

The research comprised 11 117 prostate cancer patients. During a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 1622 (14.6%) of individuals underwent therapy for cancer recurrence (IQR, 2.4-6.3 years). 

In conclusion, given the huge volume of RPs done, even a minor delay in the requirement for further hormonal treatment and radiation following surgery would support an interventional investigation to determine potential causation between nsBB usage and prostate cancer recurrence.

"Use of nsBB but not sBBs at the time of radical prostatectomy was associated with less treatment initiation for cancer recurrence," they wrote. 

Reference:

Sivanesan S, Taskén KA, Grytli HH. Association of β-Blocker Use at Time of Radical Prostatectomy With Rate of Treatment for Prostate Cancer Recurrence. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(1):e2145230. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.45230