Olympus said that a long-term study has shown the minimally invasive iTind treatment to deliver long-lasting relief of more than four years for patients with an enlarged prostate, also called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
The medical technology company gained access to iTind through the acquisition of Israeli medical device firm Medi-Tate in 2021.
The procedure with iTind involves the implantation of a temporary nitinol device to modify the prostatic urethra without burning or removing the prostate.
The results of the long-term study showed that the iTind procedure significantly and durably reduced BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), improved International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as well as quality of life (QoL). These were noted for more than 50 months and up to 79 months after treatment.
The surgical re-treatment rate after 36 months was found to be 4%, while the total cumulative re-treatment rate from baseline up to 79 months was observed to be 11.1%.
In addition, no late post-operative problems were found after a follow-up of 36 months, and no patients required additional medication.
Olympus executive director and iTind commercial head Vanessa Malka said: “We are very excited to see positive results from the study follow-up showing that treatment with the iTind procedure is safe, effective and long lasting.
“This is very important evidence for urologists and their male patients who are considering treatment with the iTind procedure as an alternative to current BPH therapies, as it proves the iTind procedure contributes to positive patient outcomes over a long period of time.”
The prospective, single-arm, multicentre study enrolled 50 patients beyond 36 months after treatment.
The improvement in symptoms included an IPSS reduction of 45.3% and an IPSS-QoL reduction of 45.1% from baseline up to 79 months post-treatment.
According to Olympus, the iTind procedure offers efficient symptom reduction upon removal without impacting sexual and ejaculatory function or urinary continence.
The device can be implanted in a doctor’s office or an outpatient facility and can be left in place for five to seven days while the patient is recuperating at home.
The treatment is also said to be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical therapy and surgeries and permanent implants.
