Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), involving a proliferation of smooth muscle cells and increased deposition of extracellular matrix, is a common development: 50% of men over age 60 (about 12.5 million men), and as much as 80% of all men over age 80 (about 3.2 million men), have some enlargement of the prostate gland.

This technology is a method for treating BHP using the oral medication, pentosan polysulfate. Pentosan polysulfate is a well known semi-synthetic polysaccharide extracted from beech wood cellulose that is FDA approved for the treatment of interstitial fibrosis. The current technology builds on the surprising discovery that pentosan polysulfate can cause regression of scarring and lesions in prostatic tissue. Pentosan polysulfate reduces or eliminates both smooth muscle cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, and thus reduces the size of the prostate gland and associated obstructive symptoms.

Applications and Advantages:

• A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia using pentosan polysulfate.
• The method treats the underlying pathology of BHP non-invasively.
• The method addresses associated conditions, such as chronic prostatitis, prostadynia, and irritative bladder conditions (other than interstitial cystitis).
• Pentosan polysulfate has been FDA approved for another use.

Development Status:

In vitro studies on BPH biopsy samples that demonstrate the drug slows the growth of prostate cells and extracellular matrix have been completed.

Publication:

SJ Elliot et al. Pentosan polysulfate decreases prostate smooth muscle proliferation and extracellular matrix turnover. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2003;6(2):138-142. [PubMed abs]

U.S. Patent No. 6,828,309 issued 07 Dec 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-104-1997/0-US-03)

Inventor:

Gary E. Striker (NIDDK)

Licensees Sought:

Available for licensing.