Propranolol Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Surgery

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare activation of ADRB2/PKA/BAD signaling pathway in the prostate glands of men two
hours after taking or not taking propranolol hydrochloride (propranolol) prior to
prostatectomy, as indicated by phosphorylated CREB.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare activation of ADRB2/PKA/BAD signaling pathway in the prostate glands of men two
hours after taking or not taking propranolol prior to prostatectomy as indicated by
phosphorylated BAD.

II. To determine the difference in candidate transcript levels associated with ADRB2/PKA
activation between individuals two hours after taking propranolol or not taking propranolol
prior to prostatectomy.

III. To determine plasma propranolol levels in individuals taking propranolol two hours after
administration prior to prostatectomy.

IV. To determine if plasma catecholamine levels in men with prostate cancer can be used as a
biomarker to identify patients who show activation of ADRB2 signaling pathway in prostate
tumors.

V. To determine perceived stress level differences in men with prostate cancer prior to
surgery to examine possible association between perceived stress level and catecholamine
levels in blood and activation of ADRB2 pathway in tumors.

VI. To determine perceived distress level differences in men with prostate cancer prior to
surgery to examine possible association between distress level and catecholamine levels in
blood and activation of ADRB2 pathway tumors.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized into 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP I: Patients receive propranolol hydrochloride orally (PO) 2 hours prior to standard of
care prostatectomy.

GROUP II: Patients receive no treatment prior to standard of care prostatectomy.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 30 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of prostate cancer undergoing prostatectomy

- Individuals able to understand and willing to sign an Institutional Review Board
(IRB)-approved informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

- Men taking propranolol on a daily for any reason are excluded

- Men with baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 110 or heart rate (HR) < 60

- Men unable to swallow pills

- History of current or past medical or psychiatric illness that would make
participation difficult or not feasible at the discretion of the principal
investigator or co-investigators