The first human trial for gene transfer therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To test the safety of a single intracavernous injection of a plasmid vector (hMaxi-K) that expresses the hSlo gene, that encodes the alpha-subunit of the Maxi-K channel, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
Six men, thus far have fulfilled the entry criteria of the protocol and had gene transfer with hMaxi-K. Three received a dose of 500 microg and three received a dose 1000 microg of the gene product, injected intracavernously as naked DNA. Dosing at 5000 microg and higher is planned.


RESULTS
The primary end point of the phase I trial is safety. No drug-related adverse events or significant laboratory changes have occurred after the gene transfer. Moreover, there is no evidence of the gene in semen at the one copy per mug total DNA in any of the participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results indicate that, in a single dose escalation study, ion channel gene transfer with hMaxi-K can be administered safely to men with ED without adverse events.
Melman
Arnold
A
Department of Urology, Albert Einstein college of Medicine, Room 744, Forchheimer, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. amelman@montefiore@org
Bar-Chama
Natan
N
McCullough
Andrew
A
Davies
Kelvin
K
Christ
George
G
D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids; D015221:Potassium Channels; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015221:Potassium Channels