Is There a Role for Stem Cell Therapy for Overactive Bladder?

The traditional approach to the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) consists of behavioral therapies and pharmacologic interventions, both of which are effective in the short term but have failed to demonstrate durability over time. Patients who fail these interventions for OAB have other more invasive surgical options available that carry their own attendant risks. Herein we provide an up-to-date overview of contemporary research being performed in the treatment of OAB. Namely, we discuss the risks and benefits of pharmacogenomic medicine, whereby we can study the genetic differences in metabolic pathways that affect an individual's response to certain drugs. We also look at molecular medicine and the use of viral vectors to deliver gene therapy to target cells. Finally, we provide an overview of stem cells and the purported therapeutic benefits as well as the challenges faced by researchers in the use of these emerging treatment modalities.