New balloon could ease urinary blockages without surgery
NCT ID NCT03499964
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a special balloon coated with the drug paclitaxel to treat urethral stricture, a narrowing of the urine tube in men. The balloon is inflated to open the stricture and deliver the drug to prevent it from closing again. The trial involves 127 men who have had at least two prior treatments, comparing the drug-coated balloon to standard dilation or incision. The goal is to see if the balloon keeps the urethra open longer and improves urine flow.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- paclitaxel-coated balloon (Optilume Drug Coated Balloon)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a less invasive, longer-lasting treatment for urethral stricture, reducing the need for repeat surgeries.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with 127 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The balloon uses a drug (paclitaxel) that has risks, and the device may not work better than standard treatments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
127 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2018
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male subjects ≥ 18 years' old 2. Visual confirmation of stricture via cystoscopy or urethrogram 3. Single, tandem or diffuse anterior urethral stricture(s), less than or equal to 3.0 cm total length measured by retrograde urethrogram. (Stricture length is defined as the distance between the most distal edge of the stricture to the most proximal edge of the stricture). 4. Two or more prior dilation treatments of the same stricture, including DVIU (Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy), but no prior urethroplasty. 5. Significant symptoms of stricture such as frequency of urination, dysuria, urgency, hematuria, slow flow, feeling of incomplete emptying, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI's). 6. International Prostrate Symptoms Score (IPSS) score of 11 or higher (assumed to be "35" if suprapubic catheter is present) 7. Lumen diameter ≤ 12F by urethrogram 8. Qmax \<15 ml/sec (assumed to be "0" if suprapubic catheter is present) 9. Guidewire must be able to cross the lesion Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with diffuse stricture length, greater than 3.0 cm in total length. (Stricture length is defined as the distance between the most distal edge of the stricture to the most proximal edge of the stricture). 2. Subjects with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to TAXOL, on medication that may have negative interaction with paclitaxel, with solid tumors who have a baseline neutrophil counts of \<1500 cells/mm3 or subjects with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma with baseline neutrophile counts of \<1000 cells/mm3. 3. Subjects who had an indwelling suprapubic catheter longer than three (3) months total prior to enrollment. 4. Previous urethroplasty within the anterior urethra 5. Stricture dilated or incised within the last six (6) weeks (urethral catheterization is not considered dilation) 6. Presence of local adverse factors, including abnormal prostate making catheterization difficult, urethral false passage or fistula. 7. Presence of signs of obstructive voiding symptoms not directly attributable to the stricture at the discretion of the physician 8. Diagnosis of untreated and unresolved BPH or BNC 9. Untreated stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 10. History of diagnosed radiation cystitis. 11. Diagnosis of carcinoma of the urethra, bladder or prostate within the last two (2) years 12. Active kidney, bladder, urethral or ureteral stone passage in the last six (6) weeks or concern of stone passage in the next 6 weeks at the discretion of the investigator. 13. Diagnosis of chronic renal failure and treatment with hemodialysis 14. New diagnosis of OAB (overactive bladder) within the last six (6) months 15. Use of alpha blockers, beta blockers, OAB (Overactive Bladder) medication, anticonvulsants (drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures), and antispasmodics where the dose is not stable. (Stable dose is defined as having the same medication and dose in the last six months.) 16. Dependence on Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) in urinary system 17. Presence of an artificial urinary sphincter, slings, or stent(s) in the urethra or prostate 18. Known neurogenic bladder, sphincter abnormalities, or poor detrusor muscle function 19. Diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus, or stricture due to balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) 20. Previous hypospadias repair 21. History of cancer in non-genitourinary system which is not considered in complete remission (except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin). A potential participant is considered in complete remission if there has been no evidence of cancer within two (2) years of enrollment 22. Any cognitive or psychiatric condition that interferes with or precludes direct and accurate communication with the study investigator regarding the study or affect the ability to complete the study quality of life questionnaires 23. Unwilling to use protected sex for thirty (30) days' post treatment 24. Unwilling to abstain or use protected sex for ninety (90) days post treatment if sexual partner is of child bearing potential. 25. Inability to provide Informed Consent Form (ICF) and/or comply with all the required follow-up requirements 26. Participation in other pre-market studies or treatment with an investigational drug or device. Long term follow up or post market study of an approved device is allowed. 27. Current active infection in the urinary system 28. Current uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A1c \> 8.0%) or evidence of poor wound healing due to diabetes 29. Diagnosed or suspected primary neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease or other neurological diseases known to affect bladder function, sphincter function or poor detrusor muscle function. 30. Visible hematuria in subject's urine sample without known contributing factor 31. Invisible hematuria (or significant microscopic hematuria, i.e. hematuria of ≥ 3 RBC's/HPF) that may be caused by a clinically significant disease unless it is attributed to the urethral stricture disease or other causes which are benign and not requiring treatment.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Urethral stricture are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Academic Urology and Urogynecology of Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, 85027, United States
-
Adult & Pediatric Urology, PC
Omana, Nebraska, 68114, United States
-
Advanced Urology Institute
Daytona Beach, Florida, 32114, United States
-
Arkansas Urology
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211, United States
-
Carolina Urology Partners
Concord, North Carolina, 28025, United States
-
Chesapeake Urology
Hanover, Maryland, 21076, United States
-
Chesapeake Urology Research
Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, United States
-
Columbia University Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, New York, 10032, United States
-
Integrated Medical Professionals OBP
North Hills, New York, 11042, United States
-
Iris Cantor Men's Health Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
-
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
-
Minnesota Urology
Woodbury, Minnesota, 55125, United States
-
New Jersey Urology
Voorhees Township, New Jersey, 08043, United States
-
Oregon Urology Institute
Springfield, Oregon, 97477, United States
-
Royal Victoria Hospital, Glen Site
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
-
UT Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
-
University of Minnesota Department of Urology
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55445, United States
-
University of Washington Harborview Medical Center
Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States
-
Urology San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
-
Urology of Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462, United States
-
Western New York Urology Associates
Cheektowaga, New York, 14225, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can doctors predict which stricture repairs will hold?
- Could a simple infusion during surgery stop pain before it starts?
- Battle of the knives: which surgery wins for narrowed urethra?
- Scientists grow new urethras in lab to fix blockages
- Can a simple wipe before surgery stop infections? new trial tests it
- Can a simple drug make urethral surgery safer?