The present invention provides a method of treating BPH using modified pore-forming proteins (MPPs). These MPPs are derived from naturally occurringcytotoxic proteins (nPPs) that kill cells by forming pores or channels in thecell membrane, resulting in cell death. The MPPs are generated by modificationof the nPPs such that they are capable of being selectively activated atnormal prostate cells. Such modification may include the addition of aprostate-specific protease cleavage site to the activation sequence, and/orthe addition of a prostate-specific targeting domain to allow selectivetargeting of prostate cells. These MPPs are capable of selectively targetingand killing normal prostate cells in vivo. The MPPs may be used either aloneor in combination with other therapies for the treatment of BPH.
