Topsalysin for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical term that is used to describe enlargement of the prostate gland. It is not a cancer and is usually not a serious threat to health if well-treated. Most males aged 50 years and above will develop BPH. As the prostate gets bigger, it can place pressure on the bladder and it may squeeze or partly block the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. This often causes problems with passing urine and may also cause other complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections, blockage of the bladder outlet, and kidney failure.
Topsalysin is a new medicine that is under development for the treatment of BPH. It acts on a specific receptor on the cell surface of prostate cells leading to shrinkage of these cells. It is delivered through an injection directly into the prostate, precisely shrinking the enlarged prostate tissue without damaging neighbouring tissue and nerves. This is believed to diminish the risk of side effects. If licensed, topsalysin will offer a new treatment option for patients with BPH.