Limited success with clostridium collagenase histolyticum following FDA approval for the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

Abstract

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) was approved for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) in December of 2013. Recently, further research has supported its use. The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the effects of CCH on penile curvature associated with Peyronie's disease at our high volume institution. Since the approval of CCH for PD, 45 men have undergone between 1 and 4 treatment cycles (mean 3.13, standard deviation (SD) = 0.87) at our institution. Primary as well as secondary curvature, if any, was measured before beginning therapy and after each cycle of therapy. The degree of curvature was compared. We also questioned these men about their subjective experience with CCH. The mean age of this cohort was 55.7 years (range 35-70). The mean primary curvature was 53.6° (SD = 16.5). Post-treatment mean primary curvature was 48.2° (SD = 19.5), p = 0.10. Secondary curvature was reduced from 24.1° (SD = 11.3) to 20.4° (SD = 11.5) before and after treatment with CCH, respectively, p = 0.27. There were two tunical ruptures in this series after which both ceased therapy with CCH. Additionally, 37/45 patients in this series expressed some degree of dissatisfaction in their post-therapy visits with most of these men stating that they did not notice a change in their curvature. CCH remains an option for the treatment of PD. Predictors of success, however, are lacking. Our experience showed a less-robust response to CCH than previous studies and underscores the need for effective and clear patient counseling prior to the initiation of therapy with CCH for PD in the post-FDA-approval setting.