Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum in the Treatment of Urologic Disease: Current and Future Impact

Abstract

Introduction: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder resulting in the abnormal accumulation of type I to III collagen, fibrin, and disorganized elastic fibers in the tunica albuginea of the penis. Many medical and non-pharmacologic modalities have been used in the treatment of PD; however, these approaches have proved largely ineffective, with surgery being the only definitive treatment. Intralesional injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) has recently become the gold standard for minimally invasive treatment of PD, and studies have suggested the role of CCH could expand to the treatment of other urologic conditions such as urethral stricture disease.

Aim: To provide an update on available data on the use of CCH in the treatment of PD and other urologic conditions.

Methods: Comprehensive review of recent clinical trials and in vivo studies that examined the safety and efficacy of CCH in urologic disease.

Main outcome measures: Assessing the efficacy of CCH in the management of PD as determined by improvement in the severity of penile fibrosis, curvature deformity, and pain.

Results: Several well-designed clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of CCH in the treatment of PD. CCH has demonstrated significant decreases in penile curvature and plaque consistency and improvements in patient satisfaction. Treatment durability and long-term adverse effects are still being assessed; however, outcomes of PD management with CCH continue to replicate the results obtained during the IMPRESS clinical trials. Preliminary studies support the premise that CCH can modify disease progression in patients with acute-phase PD. Furthermore, one in vivo study showed that CCH also could be applied to urethral stricture disease without serious adverse complications.

Conclusion: CCH continues to be the mainstay for non-surgical management of stable-phase PD. However, its role in the treatment of acute-phase PD, PD with ventral plaques, and urethral stricture disease could expand in the coming years. Gabrielson AT, Spitz JT, Hellstrom WJG. Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum in the Treatment of Urologic Disease: Current and Future Impact. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:143-156.

Keywords: Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum; Penile Plaque; Peyronie's Disease; Urethral Stricture; Urologic Disease.