Urinary Biomarkers and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common age-related benign proliferation of the epithelial and stromal components of the prostate. Symptomatic BPH is associated with the progressive development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which left untreated can deteriorate over time and lead to acute urinary retention, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, and/or obstructive uropathy. Surgical or medical treatment that correct bladder outlet obstruction from BPH in patients generally resolves voiding symptoms and reduces the urine levels of neurotrophins. Histological analysis of the prostate biopsies obtained from BPH patients enrolled in large clinical studies supported the role of prostatic inflammation in BPH/LUTS. However, the invasive nature of biopsy motivates the research in alternative biofluids for the discovery of biomarkers to influence the clinical management of BPH. We recently reported that urinary levels of chemokines are associated with the evidence of prostatic inflammation and measures of obesity in BPH patients. Detection of inflammatory mediators in urine of BPH patients has the potential to displace biopsy for discriminating BPH-related pathologies, identify risk of progressive disease, and personalize the management of BPH-related LUTS.