Efficacy and Safety of AbobotulinumtoxinA in Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity Incontinence Performing...

For patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity incontinence (NDOI), treatment with oral medications is often unsatisfactory.

To assess the efficacy and safety of abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A) for NDOI.

Two randomized, double-blind phase 3 studies (CONTENT1, NCT02660138; CONTENT2, NCT02660359) enrolled patients with NDOI who were regularly performing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and were inadequately managed with oral therapy. Pooled results from the first placebo-controlled treatment cycle are reported.

Patients received injections of aboBoNT-A 600 U (n = 162) or 800 U (n = 161) or placebo (n = 162) into the detrusor muscle.

The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in NDOI episodes per week at week 6. Secondary endpoints reported are the proportion of patients with no NDOI episodes, the volume per void, urodynamic parameters, and quality of life (QoL). Safety was also assessed. Statistical analyses were conducted for the pooled study populations (each aboBoNT-A dose vs placebo).

At week 6, NDOI episodes per week were significantly reduced in each aboBoNT-A group versus placebo (both p < 0.001) and the volume per void had significantly increased. Approximately one-third of patients in each aboBoNT-A dose group reported no NDOI episodes versus 3% of patients in the placebo group. Reductions in urinary incontinence (UI) were reflected in significantly greater improvements in UI-related QoL in the aboBoNT-A groups versus placebo. Urodynamic parameters (bladder capacity and detrusor pressure) were significantly improved with each aboBoNT-A dose versus placebo. Each aboBoNT-A dose was well tolerated. Symptomatic urinary tract infection was the most frequent treatment-emergent adverse event, with incidence comparable across the aboBoNT-A and placebo groups. The studies were terminated prematurely owing to slow recruitment and were not designed for statistical comparison between the two aboBoNT-A doses.

Intradetrusor aboBoNT-A is an effective treatment and alternative option for patients with NDOI who have an inadequate response to oral anticholinergics and are already performing CIC.

In patients with bladder muscle overactivity caused by neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury) and resulting in urinary incontinence, abobotulinumtoxinA injections improved their symptoms and bladder function, with no unexpected effects.