Iron Chelation as Novel Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a highly prevalent debilitating disease, with its cardinal symptoms being severe pain, urinary urgency and frequency. The associated pain may eventually lead as a last resort to removal of the bladder. Though the initial trigger for IC remains largely unknown, we propose novel iron chelators as a possible new treatment for this disease. Iron is a mandatory component for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A substantial decrease in ROS production and thus inflammation can be achieved by effectively sequestering host iron, which we believe may improve outcome and quality of life in IC patients. Novel iron chelators could be used via the intravesical route to reduce or attenuate inflammation by effectively sequestering host iron, thus preventing the production of ROS via the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions.