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Botulinum a toxin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms

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Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) has been called the most poisonous poison and a potential bioterrorism weapon, and yet modern medicine has been able to harvest the elegant and specific activity of this toxin to treat a variety of medical conditions. BoNT application recently has been extended to prostate disorders, and this article reviews the literature on the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy of BoNT treatment in the prostate. BoNT has demonstrated promising preliminary results for male lower urinary tract symptoms, and translational research suggests novel mechanism of action of BoNT in the prostate. It is important to remember that the application of BoNT in the prostate is not approved by the regulatory agencies and caution should be applied until larger randomized clinical studies are completed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 700 LS Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Michael B. Chancellor MD (Professor of Urology, Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Authors
  1. Catherine A. Thomas PhD
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  2. Yao-Chi Chuang MD
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  3. Antonella Giannantoni MD
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  4. Michael B. Chancellor MD
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Correspondence to Michael B. Chancellor MD.

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Thomas, C.A., Chuang, YC., Giannantoni, A. et al. Botulinum a toxin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms. Curr Urol Rep 7, 266–271 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-996-0005-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-996-0005-1

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