Efficacy and safety of an alternative onabotulinumtoxinA injection paradigm for refractory overactive bladder

Abstract

AimsIn studies utilizing a 20‐injection‐site paradigm of onabotulinumtoxinA treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), some patients performed clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). An alternative injection paradigm of fewer injections targeting the lower bladder may reduce the need for CIC by maintaining upper bladder function. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of an unapproved alternative 10‐injection‐site paradigm targeting the lower bladder.MethodsIn this phase 4, double‐blind, parallel‐group study, patients with OAB and urinary incontinence (UI) for ≥6 months with ≥3 episodes of urinary urgency incontinence (no more than 1 UI‐free day) and ≥8 micturitions per day over 3 days during screening were randomized 2:1 to onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U or placebo injected at 10 sites in the lower bladder.ResultsOf 120 patients, 78 in the onabotulinumtoxinA group and 39 in the placebo group had efficacy assessments. In the double‐blind phase, mean change from baseline at week 12 in daily frequency of UI episodes was greater with onabotulinumtoxinA (−2.9) versus placebo (−0.3) (least squares mean difference [LSMD]: −2.99, p < 0.0001). Achievement of 100% (odds ratio [OR]: 6.15 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.75–50.37]), ≥75% (OR: 7.25 [2.00–26.29]), and ≥50% improvement (OR: 4.79 [1.87–12.28]) from baseline in UI episodes was greater with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo. Reductions from baseline in the daily average number of micturitions (LSMD: −2.24, p < 0.0001), nocturia (LSMD: −0.71, p = 0.0004), and urgency (LSMD: −2.56, p < 0.0001) were greater with onabotulinumtoxinA than with placebo. Treatment benefit was improved or greatly improved in the onabotulinumtoxinA group (74.0% of patients) versus placebo (17.6%) (OR: 13.03 [95% CI: 3.23–52.57]). Mean change from baseline in Incontinence Quality of Life score was greater with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo (LSMD: 24.2, p = 0.0012). Two of 78 (2.6%) patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA group used CIC during the double‐blind period; no females used CIC during the double‐blind period. Commonly reported adverse events (≥5%) were urinary tract infection (UTI), dysuria, and productive cough for both groups; rate of UTI was higher with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo.ConclusionIn patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA for OAB with UI, an unapproved alternative injection paradigm targeting the lower bladder demonstrated efficacy over placebo, with a low incidence of CIC.

Recent Developments in Engineering Non-Paralytic Botulinum Molecules for Therapeutic Applications

“…Studies have shown that BoNT/A therapy leads to significant improvements in urinary symptoms for up to 12 weeks [ 38 ]. When treating OAB with BoNT, it is important to be aware of the potential adverse effects that may occur, which can include a higher incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and voiding difficulties necessitating self-catheterization [ 39 , 40 ]. The need of self-catheterization occurs due to excessive detrusor relaxation following injections, as highlighted by the studies conducted by Cui et al and Zhou et al [ 41 , 42 ].…”