Open AccessGene Therapy for Overactive Bladder: A Review of BK-Channel α-Subunit Gene Transfer
Author(s) -
Karl Erik Andersson,
George J. Christ,
Kelvin P. Davies,
E.S. Rovner,
Arnold Melman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
therapeutics and clinical risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1178-203X
pISSN - 1176-6336
DOI - 10.2147/tcrm.s291798
Subject(s) - medicine , overactive bladder , adverse effect , genetic enhancement , clinical trial , bioinformatics , urology , pharmacology , gene , pathology , genetics , alternative medicine , biology
A need exists for local (ie, bladder-specific) interventions to treat overactive bladder (OAB) with low risk of unwanted postprocedural outcomes. Gene therapy targeted to leverage endogenous physiology in bladder cells may assist in restoring normal cell and organ function. Herein, we review the potential promise of gene therapy for treating OAB, focusing on gene transfer of URO-902, a non-viral naked plasmid DNA expressing the big potassium (BK) channel. We searched PubMed for articles concerning functional aspects of the BK channel and its potential use for gene transfer as local OAB treatment. Results from preclinical, phase 1, and phase 2 studies of URO-902 for erectile dysfunction and phase 1 studies of URO-902 for OAB are included. The BK channel has been extensively studied; however, URO-902 is the first gene therapy used in clinical trials directed toward treating OAB via the BK channel. In both URO-902 studies, there were no serious adverse events considered treatment related and no adverse events leading to early withdrawal. Both studies included secondary efficacy endpoints with promising results suggesting improvement in OAB symptoms, and quality of life, with use of URO-902 versus placebo. Gene therapy involving the BK channel, such as gene transfer with URO-902, has demonstrated promising safety and efficacy results in women with OAB. Findings warrant further investigation of the use of URO-902 for OAB treatment.