Sustained efficacy and safety of vardenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability, efficacy, and safety of vardenafil, 10 mg, for patients with erectile dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vardenafil-naive patients completed a 4-week treatment-free run-in phase and a 1-week single-dose vardenafil (10 mg) open-label challenge phase. Responders to vardenafil in the challenge phase were randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind, fixed-dose treatment with vardenafil at 10 mg or placebo. Diary responses to Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) questions about erections and attempts at sexual activity were collected after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of randomized treatment. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: During the open-label challenge phase, the proportions of patients with a first-time success for penetration (SEP2) and maintenance of erection (SEP3) were 87% and 74%, respectively. Of 600 patients challenged with a single dose of vardenafil at 10 mg, 260 were randomized to vardenafil and 263 to placebo. During the double-blind phase, the reliability of penetration and maintenance rates for patients successful during the challenge phase were significantly greater with vardenafil compared with placebo (83.4% vs 55.8% [SEP2] and 76.6% vs 42.1% [SEP3], respectively). At week 12, patients in the vardenafil group had a consistently higher least squares mean (SE) on the erectile function domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function than patients in the placebo group (23.5 [0.4] vs 15.8 [0.4], respectively [last observation carried forward]) and a greater proportion of positive responses to the Global Assessment Question (80.8% vs 32.3%, respectively [last observation carried forward]) at each assessment (Pc.001). Vardenafil was generally well tolerated; most adverse events were mild to moderate, with headache and flushing reported most frequently. CONCLUSION: During this 12-week study, vardenafil produced consistently higher reliability of penetration and maintenance of erection rates compared to placebo and was generally well tolerated in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Tadalafil improved erectile function at twenty-four and thirty-six hours after dosing in men with erectile dysfunction: US trial.

In a previous study assessing tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), tadalafil 20 mg was shown to improve erectile function for up to 36 hours vs placebo. This study sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of both 10- and 20-mg tadalafil vs placebo at 2 prespecified assigned times of 24 and 36 hours postdosing. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study randomized 483 men with ED into 6 groups according to a combination of treatment (placebo, tadalafil 10 or 20 mg) and assigned time (24 or 36 hours) for intercourse attempts. Patients were stratified by baseline ED severity based on Erectile Function Domain scores. The study had 4 phases: a 4-week run-in (no ED medication taken); a 2- to 4-week equilibration (dosing as needed); a 4- to 6-week assessment; and a 6-month open-label extension. During the assessment phase, men took a total of 4 doses of study medication, each dose separated by more than or equal to 7 days. Efficacy was measured as the mean per-patient percentage of successful intercourse attempts (Sexual Encounter Profile Diary Question 3: SEP3) during the assessment phase. Men taking either 10- or 20-mg tadalafil had a significant increase in SEP3 from baseline scores vs placebo at both 24 hours (P = .038 and <.001 for 10 and 20 mg, respectively) and 36 hours (P < .001 for both doses) postdose. The mean per-patient percentages of successful intercourse attempts for the 24-hour time point were 41.8%, 55.8%, and 67.3% for placebo and tadalafil 10 and 20 mg, respectively; for the 36-hour time point, the mean per-patient percentages were 32.8%, 56.2%, and 61.9% for placebo and tadalafil 10 and 20 mg, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, back pain, dyspepsia, and nasopharyngitis. Both 10- and 20-mg tadalafil improved erectile function for up to 36 hours postdosing in men with ED of varied severity.

Vardenafil, a new phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes: a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled fixed-dose study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of vardenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled fixed-dose parallel-group phase III trial, 452 patients with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and ED were randomized to take 10 or 20 mg vardenafil or placebo as needed for 12 weeks. Efficacy responses were assessed by International Index of Erectile Function domain scores, rates of vaginal penetration and successful intercourse, and a global assessment question (GAQ) about erection improvement during the previous 4 weeks. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, a dose-dependent (P = 0.02) improvement in erections was noted for the GAQ, with 57 and 72% of men taking 10 mg or 20 mg vardenafil, respectively, reporting improved erections, in contrast to 13% after taking placebo (P < 0.0001). For the erectile function domain, dose-dependent (P = 0.03) final scores for the 10- and 20-mg dose were 17.1 and 19.0 compared with 12.6 for placebo (P < 0.0001). Both vardenafil doses significantly enhanced the rates of successful penetration (P < 0.0001) and successful intercourse (P < 0.0001) compared with placebo. Vardenafil treatment was effective in increasing intercourse success rates at all levels of baseline ED severity, at each level of plasma HbA(1c), and for type 1 and 2 diabetes. Treatment-emergent adverse events were primarily mild to moderate headache (

Vardenafil.

Vardenafil hydrochloride is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase Type 5 that increases blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation and helps restore the ability to achieve and sustain an erection in men with erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil was developed specifically to be an effective and safe oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, with potential advances over existing therapies. This review summarises key findings during the rapid and aggressive development of this compound, from in vitro assays to Phase III trials with both broad and special populations. Emphasis is placed on the presentation of data that demonstrates the clinical effectiveness and safety of this agent which is anticipated to be available in 2003.

A phase 2 cancer chemoprevention biomarker trial of isoflavone G-2535 (genistein) in presurgical bladder cancer patients.

The soy compound genistein has been observed preclinically to inhibit bladder cancer growth with one potential mechanism being the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation (p-EGFR). A phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated whether daily, oral genistein (300 or 600 mg/d as the purified soy extract G-2535) for 14 to 21 days before surgery alters molecular pathways in bladder epithelial tissue in 59 subjects diagnosed with urothelial bladder cancer (median age, 71 years). G-2535 treatment was well tolerated; observed toxicities were primarily mild to moderate gastrointestinal or metabolic and usually not attributed to study drug. Genistein was detected in plasma and urine of subjects receiving G-2535 at concentrations greater than placebo subjects' but were not dose-dependent. Reduction in bladder cancer tissue p-EGFR staining between the placebo arm and the combined genistein arms was significant at the protocol-specified significance level of 0.10 (P = 0.07). This difference was most prominent when comparing the 300-mg group with placebo (P = 0.015), but there was no significant reduction in p-EGFR staining between the 600-mg group and placebo. No difference in normal bladder epithelium p-EGFR staining was observed between treatment groups. No significant differences in tumor tissue staining between treatment groups were observed for COX-2, Ki-67, activated caspase-3, Akt, p-Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), or p-MAPK. No significant differences in urinary survivin or BLCA-4 levels between treatment groups were observed. Genistein displayed a possible bimodal effect (more effective at the lower dose) on bladder cancer tissue EGFR phosphorylation that should be evaluated further, possibly in combination with other agents.

Sildenafil citrate improves erectile function and urinary symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluated sildenafil for erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in men with the 2 conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo controlled study of sildenafil in men 45 years or older who scored 25 or less on the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function and 12 or greater on the International Prostate Symptom Score. Men with confirmed or suspected prostate malignancy, or prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or more were excluded. End points were changes in International Index of Erectile Function domain scores, International Prostate Symptom Score (irritative, obstructive and quality of life), the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index, the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction Index Score. RESULTS: The 189 men receiving sildenafil had significant improvements in erectile function domain score vs the 180 on placebo (9.17 vs 1.86, p<0.0001) and on all other International Index of Erectile Function domains. In men on sildenafil vs placebo significant improvements were observed in International Prostate Symptom Score (-6.32 vs -1.93, p<0.0001), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (-2.0 vs -0.9, p<0.0001), mean International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life score (-0.97 vs -0.29, p<0.0001) and total Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire scores (24.6 vs 4.3, p<0.0001). There was no difference in urinary flow between the groups (p=0.08). Significantly more sildenafil vs placebo treated patients were satisfied with treatment (71.2 vs 41.7, p<0.0001). Sildenafil was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Improved erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms with sildenafil in men with the 2 conditions were associated with improved quality of life and treatment satisfaction. Daily dosing with sildenafil may improve lower urinary tract symptoms. However, the lack of effect on urinary flow rates may mean that a new basic pathophysiology paradigm is needed to explain the etiology of lower urinary tract symptoms.

Tadalafil relieves lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: We assessed the efficacy and safety of tadalafil dosed once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a 4-week, single-blind, placebo run-in 281 men were randomly assigned (1:1) to 5 mg tadalafil for 6 weeks, followed by dose escalation to 20 mg for 6 weeks or 12 weeks of placebo. RESULTS: Tadalafil significantly improved the mean change from baseline in International Prostate Symptom Score at 6 weeks (5 mg tadalafil -2.8 vs placebo -1.2) and at 12 weeks (5/20 mg tadalafil -3.8 vs placebo -1.7). Larger changes were observed with inclusion of the placebo run-in at 12 weeks (5/20 mg tadalafil -7.1 vs placebo -4.5). Significant improvements were also seen in the International Prostate Symptom Score irritative and obstructive domains, the International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life index, a question about urinary symptom improvement and the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (significant at 12 weeks) vs placebo. International Prostate Symptom Score and International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain scores significantly improved in the 56% of men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia who were sexually active and had erectile dysfunction. Changes in uroflowmetry parameters were similar in the placebo and tadalafil groups. Commonly reported (2% or greater) treatment emergent adverse events were "erection increased," dyspepsia, back pain, headache, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection (each 5.1% or less). No change in post-void residual volume was seen with tadalafil treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil once daily was well tolerated and demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant symptomatic improvement for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia. Tadalafil also improved erectile function in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction.

Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in black and Hispanic American men.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in black American and Hispanic American men with erectile dysfunction (ED) of broad-spectrum etiology. A total of 246 black American and 197 Hispanic American men were randomized to sildenafil (50 mg, adjustable to 25 mg or 100 mg, depending on efficacy and tolerability; n = 124 and n = 99, respectively) or matching placebo (n = 122 and n = 98, respectively). After 6 weeks, patients were given the option of switching to the other blinded treatment for the following 6 weeks. The 12 weeks of double-blind treatment were followed by 12 weeks of open-label extension. Despite differences in prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and use of concomitant antihypertensive agents between the 2 study groups, sildenafil was efficacious and well tolerated. After 6 weeks, scores for questions 3 and 4 from the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were significantly higher among sildenafil-treated black and Hispanic patients than in placebo-treated patients. In addition, compared with placebo, a significantly larger proportion of sildenafil patients reported improved erections and improved ability to have sexual intercourse. When efficacy results were stratified by ED severity or number of risk factors, scores for IIEF questions 3 and 4 were lower in men with severe ED versus mild-to-moderate ED. Similarly, the percentage of patients reporting improved erections decreased with ED severity and number of risk factors. The proportion of patients switching to the other treatment after 6 weeks was significantly higher in the placebo group (71% to 85%) than in the sildenafil group (27% to 28%). The most common adverse events included headache and vasodilation, which were mild to moderate in nature and were comparable between groups. These data demonstrate that despite differences in prevalence rates of comorbidities, efficacy and safety of sildenafil is maintained across different ethnic groups.

Efficacy and tolerability of vardenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction in patient subgroups.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether vardenafil would improve erectile function irrespective of etiology, baseline severity, or patient age. The consistency of the response over time was also evaluated. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled at-home study of vardenafil treatment (5, 10, and 20 mg) was performed. This secondary analysis compared the mean International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) erectile function domain scores of various subgroups at 12 weeks of treatment. These populations included organic, psychogenic, or mixed etiologies; mild, moderate, or severe baseline severity; and four age groups (younger than 45, 45 to 55, 56 to 65, and older than 65 years). In addition, all IIEF domains were compared at sequential 4-week periods, before and during treatment. RESULTS: In the 580 men of the intent-to-treat population, the mean erectile function domain scores were statistically greater than placebo, irrespective of etiology, baseline severity, or age. This was seen at all dosages. Compared with placebo, vardenafil statistically improved the IIEF domain scores of erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction after 4 weeks of treatment, and these improvements were maintained for 12 weeks. The rates of the most common adverse events (headache, flushing, and dyspepsia) were either constant or declined over time; they were generally mild to moderate and transient in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Vardenafil improved erectile function regardless of the general etiology, baseline severity of erectile dysfunction, or patient age. Improvements in erectile function and other key IIEF domains were consistently seen throughout the study.