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Senior Citizens & Sex
Erectile Dysfunction, Overactive Bladder and More
May be Treated by Simple Gene Transfer
Potential alternative to oral drugs, like
Viagra, which are not effective for up to 40%
 November
30, 2006 Okay, senior men, how about this a simple gene transfer
that will treat erectile dysfunction and, at the same time, treat
overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma. Researchers at
Wake Forest University School of Medicine say their test is showing
promise. This is encouraging news for senior citizens, who will likely
suffer from most of these ailments, if they live long enough.
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Senior Citizens & Sex |
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"In the small pilot study, this new therapy was
well tolerated and safe," said George Christ, Ph.D., senior researcher
and a professor at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake
Forest University School of Medicine. "It provides evidence that gene
transfer is a viable approach to treating ED and other diseases
involving smooth muscle cells."
The results of the study, which included 11 men
with ED, are reported online today in Human Gene Therapy. The technology
was developed by Christ and Arnold Melman, M.D., when they worked
together at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York.
Unlike traditional gene therapy, the gene transfer
approach being pioneered by Christ and Melman does not change the DNA or
genetic code of cells. Instead, small pieces of DNA reach the nuclei of
cells and this causes them to increase production of particular
proteins. These proteins help relax smooth muscle cells, the type of
muscle found in the penis as well as in hollow organs such as the
bladder. Relaxing the tissue allows the penis to fill with blood and
become erect.
Previous research has shown that more than 50
percent of men between 40 and 70 years old and 70 percent over age 70
may have ED. The new therapy is a potential alternative to oral
medications, such as Viagra, which are not effective for an estimated 30
to 40 percent of men with ED.
A possible advantage of gene transfer is that a
single treatment could last for months. In the current study,
improvements were maintained through the 24 weeks of study.
The study was conducted from May 2004 to May 2006
at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and New York University School of
Medicine. Men ranged from 42 to 80 years old with a mean age of 59. Six
subjects were white, four were black and one was Hispanic. In half of
the subjects, the cause of ED was diabetes or cardiovascular disease
both of which can interfere with the ability of smooth muscle cells to
relax.
The primary goal of the study was to determine the
safety and tolerability of the new therapy. However, the results also
showed that at the highest doses, men reported highly significant
improvements in erectile function.
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Erectile
dysfunction might play role in heart disease |
|
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Nov. 30, 2006 -
Men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) may need to worry
more about their hearts than their diminished sexual function.
Dr. Stephen
Lapin, urologist with The Methodist Hospital in Houston, says an
early warning sign of heart disease is when atherosclerotic
plaque begins to form in the blood vessels, restricting blood
flow. This plaque is more damaging to penile circulation than in
other vessels due to their small size.
Erectile
dysfunction affects more than 300 million men worldwide between
the ages of 40 and 70. Lapin believes if urologists are aware of
this connection that they can alert their patients who can then
make changes in diet and exercise. |
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The DNA segments mixed into plasma were
injected into the corpus cavernosum, expandable tissue along the length
of the penis that fills with blood during erection. A variety of
clinical and laboratory tests were used to assess safety. In addition,
effectiveness was measured using the International Index of Erectile
Function scale, a questionnaire that is commonly used to measure ED.
Patient responses were validated by their partners.
Researchers identified no safety issues with the
treatment. Participants who received the highest two doses had apparent
sustained improvements in ED as measured by the questionnaire. The
researchers said that a larger study that includes a "control" group
treated with a placebo is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness
of the treatment.
Other researchers on the project were Melman, Natan
Bar-Chama, M.D., with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Andrew McCullough,
M.D., with New York University School of Medicine, and Kelvin Davies,
Ph.D., with Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
The technology is being developed by Ion Channel
Innovations (ICI), a development stage biotechnology company, in which
Christ and Melman are co-founders and directing members. The therapy is
known as ion channel therapy because the proteins it targets are
potassium channels, "gates" within cells critical for contraction and
relaxation of smooth muscle.
At the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative
Medicine, Christ is continuing to pursue the therapy in collaboration
with ICI, and is also exploring the potential of combining gene transfer
with traditional oral medications to further increase the clinical
utility of the technology. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine at
Yeshiva University owns the ICT patents and has granted the company
exclusive, worldwide rights.
Editor's Notes:
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is
an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital
and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the
universitys School of Medicine. U.S. News & World Report ranks Wake
Forest University School of Medicine 18th in family medicine, 20th in
geriatrics, 25th in primary care and 41st in research among the nation's
medical schools. It ranks 32nd in research funding by the National
Institutes of Health. Almost 150 members of the medical school faculty
are listed in Best Doctors in America.
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