Data from the ARTS trial suggests Dutesteride may be beneficial in patients who have failed radical treatment for prostate cancer.

In an article by Schröder et al published in Europe Urol (2012) the authors show that Dutesteride can delay PSA rise in patients that have failed radical treatment for prostate cancer. The study, known as the ARTS trial, recruited 294 subjects that were randomised to either Dutesteride or placebo (147 in each treatment group). Only 187 (64%) completed 24 mo of treatment. In these patients Dutasteride significantly delayed the time to PSA doubling (p<0.001); the relative risk (RR) reduction was 66 % for the overall study period. Dutasteride also significantly delayed disease progression (p<0.001); the overall RR reduction in favour of dutasteride was 59%. The incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and AEs leading to study withdrawal were similar between the treatment groups and in line with previously published data. A limitation of the study was that investigators were not blinded to PSA levels during the study.