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Canadian provider perspectives on Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease and the impact of its discontinuation

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 34, pages 599–602 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Intralesional Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCh) was the first non-surgical therapy approved for Peyronie’s disease (PD). However, CCh’s cost and poor market uptake has led to its discontinuation in Europe and Canada. In Canada, Xiaflex® is the trade name for CCh and it is produced by Paladin Labs Inc, an operating company of Endo International. The paper aims to better understand Canadian CCh providers’ perspectives regarding its treatment efficacy and the potential impact of its discontinuation. All Xiaflex®-approved Canadian providers were asked to complete an anonymous 21-question survey using an online platform. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistics. Outcomes of interest included previous experience with CCh, protocols utilized, experience with insurance coverage, clinical and patient-reported outcomes, and provider perspectives on the discontinuation of CCh. Overall response rate was 48.3% (29/60). A total of 89% of respondents were male, 61% were in practice more than 10 years, 32% were in an academic practice, and 46% had completed an Andrology/Sexual Medicine fellowship. A total of 93% of respondents felt that CCh was superior to other intralesional therapies for PD. In all, 86% reported a patient satisfaction rate of at least 50%, and the majority (75%) saw a clinically meaningful response. Only 7% expressed difficulty obtaining insurance coverage, with many providers (71%) achieving an insurance approval rate between 75 and 100%. Only 54% of respondents reported that they would continue treating PD in light of CCh’s discontinuation, and 96% felt that CCh’s discontinuation represents a loss to Canadian patients. In light of CCh’s discontinuation, most (79%) are now more likely to offer surgical treatment. In conclusion, most CCh providers found CCh to be effective and were dismayed by its discontinuation. The survey demonstrated that due to the withdrawal of CCh from Canada, physicians’ abilities to offer effective medical therapy may become limited, with more providers offering surgical options for PD.

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Fig. 1: The survey queried CCh providers on their perspectives on insurance approval, clinical outcomes, and whether they would continue treating PD.
Fig. 2: The survey queried CCh providers on their experience with insurance approval rates, patient willingness to pay for CCh without insurance, and patient perspectives on clinical outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Uday Mann, Benjamin Shiff, Kunal Jain & Premal Patel

  2. Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Ryan Flannigan

  3. Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Ryan Flannigan

  4. Division of Urology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dean Elterman

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  1. Uday Mann
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Correspondence to Premal Patel.

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RF has received speaking honoraria and an education grant from Boston Scientific and speaking honoraria from Paladin Labs. PP is a consultant for Boston Scientific and Nestle Health. PP is also a member of an advisory board for Boston Scientific. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Mann, U., Shiff, B., Jain, K. et al. Canadian provider perspectives on Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease and the impact of its discontinuation. Int J Impot Res 34, 599–602 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00458-z

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