Liposomes are used for intravesical drug delivery, especially delivery of botulinum toxin (BoNT) to help improve lower urinary tract symptoms by decreasing bladder irritation and frequency. The system uses a lower and safer dose of BoNT with lower risk of urinary retention. A simple instillation of liposome-BoNT as a liquid formulation into the bladder, in a typical volume of 30-60 ml, will achieve efficacy similar to that currently achieved with cystscopic needle injection of BoNT. The dose may be lower than that done by injection, thereby causing significantly less risk of urinary retention. Liposome-BoNT can protect the BoNT from bladder and urine breakdown. Liposome-BoNT instillation is more comfortable for the patients and allows many more doctors' offices to offer this form of treatment that would otherwise be restricted to doctors skilled and certified in cystoscopic BoNT injection.
