prostate-report.org

NIDDK publishes strategic plan for research into benign prostate

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has published for the first time, a strategic plan for research into benign prostate disease, based on the latest scientific knowledge. This Prostate Research Strategic Plan is the culmination of discussions and meetings among experts over the past two years in an effort to outline a strategic vision for research into these elusive and multi-faceted diseases.
The NIDDK Prostate Research Strategic Plan addresses the four major research areas judged critical for advancing the field. These include basic science, epidemiology and population-based studies, translational research, and clinical sciences.

Recommendations from the plan include:

• Promote interdisciplinary research that focuses on how benign prostate diseases are influenced by other organ-specific diseases and systemic conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction. For example, the possible influence of high blood pressure on BPH/LUTS is a previously unexplored area of research.
• Study the primary prevention of benign prostate diseases, including possible benefits of lifestyle changes such as avoidance of alcohol and caffeine, frequency of sexual practice, pelvic massage therapy, stress reduction, and diet modulation for relief of CP/CPPS.
• Develop data and human tissue resources from patients of various ages to derive information useful in investigating risk factors, underlying causes and natural history of disease progression, quality of life, quality of care, and decision making regarding treatment of benign prostate disease. Develop imaging approaches and other biomarker studies to assess severity and risk of progression based on physical and cellular findings.
• Develop targeted medical therapies based on new insights into disease-relevant cellular pathways and physiological events.
• Develop standardized, clinically significant benign prostate disease syndrome definitions and classifications based on measurable phenotypic features.
• Train and mentor epidemiologists, health services researchers, clinical investigators, and students interested in the study of benign prostate disease.