NIDDK publishes strategic plan for benign prostate disease research

For the first time, a strategic plan for research into benign prostate disease, based on the latest scientific knowledge, has been published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The NIDDK Prostate Research Strategic Plan is the culmination of discussions and meetings among experts over the past 2 years in an effort to outline a strategic vision for advancing translational research by facilitating planning efforts among basic scientists, clinicians, advocacy groups, and patients.

The research area of benign prostate disease includes two of the most significant non-cancerous disorders affecting males: BPH and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The NIDDK strategic plan addresses the four major research areas judged critical for advancing the field: basic science, epidemiology and population-based studies, translational research, and clinical sciences.

“The long-standing, unanswered questions about the causes of these disorders prompted the NIDDK to examine the state of the science and to develop a new vision for future research,” said Chris Mullins, PhD, of NIDDK. “As part of this process, we convened the Prostate Research Planning Committee, composed of clinical and basic scientists and epidemiologists from around the country, to review and evaluate past and current research and to make individual recommendations for new research priorities. The NIDDK Prostate Research Strategic Plan is the result of that collaborative effort.”