BACKGROUND:β-Adrenoceptor agonists are effective in animal models of bladder dysfunction, and the human bladder primarily expresses the β3 receptor subtype.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the highly selective and potent β3-adrenoceptor agonist solabegron in a clinical proof-of-concept study in incontinent women with overactive bladder (OAB).
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a randomized, double-blind trial in adult women with OAB (one or more 24-h incontinence episodes and eight or more average 24-h micturitions).
INTERVENTIONS: Solabegron 50mg (n=88), solabegron 125mg (n=85), or placebo (n=85)-all twice daily-were administered.
OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary efficacy end point was percentage change from baseline to week 8 in the number of incontinence episodes over 24h. Secondary end points included actual change and percentage change from baseline to week 4 and week 8 in micturitions per 24h, urgency episodes per 24h, and volume voided per micturition. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed, as well.
RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Solabegron 125mg produced a statistically significant difference in percent change from baseline to week 8 in incontinence episodes over 24h when compared with placebo (p=0.025). Solabegron 125mg treatment also showed statistically significant reductions from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 in micturitions over 24h and a statistically significant increase from baseline to week 8 in urine volume voided. Solabegron was well tolerated, with a similar incidence of AEs in each treatment group. There were no significant treatment differences for mean changes from baseline to week 8 in systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), or heart rate during the 24-h ambulatory measurement.
CONCLUSIONS: Solabegron significantly reduced the symptoms of OAB in women with moderate to severe OAB. Solabegron was safe, well tolerated, and did not demonstrate significant differences in AEs as compared to placebo. β3-Adrenoceptor agonists may represent a new therapeutic approach for treating OAB symptoms.
Written by:
Ohlstein EH, von Keitz A, Michel MC. Are you the author?
AltheRx Pharmaceuticals, Malvern, PA, USA.
Reference: Eur Urol. 2012 Jun 5. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2012.05.053
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22695239
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