Encouraging Health

For the millions of sufferers of a bladder condition called painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis, hope is on the way, developed by urologic surgeon and researcher Lowell Parsons, M.D. of the University of California, San Diego Medical Center.

“What our team has identified is an experimental drug therapy that can provide pain relief to patients within 20 minutes,” said Parsons, professor of surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Depending on the individual, in my experience, one dose can last from 6 to 40 hours. The ability of the therapy to provide immediate relief is something entirely new for sufferers of interstitial cystitis.”

“Women who suffer from this condition may find themselves having to urinate ten or more times per day, usually have pain or symptom flares after sexual intercourse, and frequently have chronic pelvic pain,” said Parsons. “Fortunately, given the right diagnosis, it’s treatable.”

The drug therapy, with positive results in a recent Phase 2 study, is a combination of an anesthetic and heparin delivered directly into the bladder via a catheter. The anesthetic provides rapid pain relief while heparin restores the protective mucus layer of the bladder.

Normally the bladder is protected by mucus, a slippery substance made up of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts. The layer helps the bladder store urine safely and comfortably. In its absence, irritating urinary salts such as potassium leak into the bladder wall injuring nerves and causing pain.

Triggers for flare ups of interstitial cystitis are sexual intercourse, menstruation, exercise, flying in planes or travel that requires extensive sitting, and pelvic surgery. Parsons estimates that one out of every four women in the U.S. suffers from some form of this condition while 6-8% of men may exhibit symptoms. Children who are late bedwetters sometimes show early signs of the condition.

Currently, one of the most effective treatments for interstitial cystitis is a drug called Elmiron, an FDA-approved drug that has been on the market for more than a decade, which Parsons began developing 30 years ago. Elmiron helps restore or heal the bladder lining and works best by taking the medication over a 6-12 month period.

The new drug therapy combination has been licensed by UC San Diego Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services to Urigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for further clinical development and commercialization.