http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1201180435.htm

Source: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Date: December 4, 2006
More on: Gene Therapy, Erectile Dysfunction, Diseases and Conditions,
Genes, Sexual Health, Medical Imaging

Gene Therapy For Erectile Dysfunction Shows Promise In Clinical Trial
The first human trial of gene transfer therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED)
indicates that gene therapy that lasts for months and eliminates the patient
's need for on-demand drugs (such as Viagra and Cialis), could become the
future treatment of choice for this common problem, according to a paper in
the most recent issue of Human Gene Therapy.


Lead author Arnold Melman, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of
Urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and
Montefiore Medical Center, says, "This is an exciting field of research
because current treatments for men with erectile dysfunction, whether pills
or minimally invasive therapies, must be used 'on demand', thereby reducing
the spontaneity of the sexual act."

Erectile dysfunction affects more than 50 percent of men aged 40 to70 and 70
percent above age 70, according to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.

Dr. Melman and two study centers worked with 11 men and administered
various doses of a transfer gene called hMaxi-K. "While this phase 1 safety
trial was not designed to provide efficacy answers, one patient in each of
the higher dose groups (5000 and 7500 micrograms) reported clinically
significant and sustained improvements in ED. And, there have been no
adverse effects with the patients in the study, so it has been proven to be
safe," he adds.

Because there has been widely publicized adverse results using viruses as
agents to transfer genes into humans, Dr. Melman has chosen to transfer the
hMaxi-K gene using "naked DNA," a form of circular DNA which remains
independent and does not integrate with chromosomal DNA in the muscle cells.

"The hMaxi-K stimulates potassium ion transfer in the smooth muscle cells of
the penis," says Dr. Melman. The hMaxi-K gene works by creating additional
potassium channels (the chemical symbol for potassium is 'K') in the smooth
muscle cell of the penis. This relaxes the muscle and allows blood flow
required for an erection.

"Because this novel therapeutic approach of ion channel therapy works on
smooth muscle, it is also promising for overactive bladder disease," adds
Dr. Melman.

Dr. Melman, with George Christ, PhD, developed the process for ion channel
therapy at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which owns the patents.
Montefiore is the academic medical center for Einstein. Einstein has granted
licensing rights for the patent to a company called Ion Channel Innovations,
which was founded by Dr. Melman, and under whose sponsorship the clinical
trials are being conducted. The two study centers in the trials were Mount
Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center.

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