A Pollen Extract (Cernilton) in Patients with Inflammatory Chronic Prostatitis-Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Multicentre, Randomised, Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study

Background: National Institutes of Health (NIH) category III prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent condition for which no standardised treatment exists. Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of a standardised pollen extract in men with inflammatory CP/CPPS. Design, setting, and participants: We conducted a multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study comparing the pollen extract (Cernilton) to placebo in men with CP/CPPS (NIH IIIA) attending urologic centres. Intervention: Participants were randomised to receive oral capsules of the pollen extract (two capsules q8 h) or placebo for 12 wk. Measurements: The primary endpoint of the study was symptomatic improvement in the pain domain of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). Participants were evaluated using the NIH-CPSI individual domains and total score, the number of leukocytes in post-prostatic massage urine (VB3), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the sexuality domain of a life satisfaction questionnaire at baseline and after 6 and 12 wk. Results and limitations: In the intention-to-treat analysis, 139 men were randomly allocated to the pollen extract (n = 70) or placebo (n = 69). The individual domains pain (p = 0.0086) and quality of life (QoL; p = 0.0250) as well as the total NIH-CPSI score (p = 0.0126) were significantly improved after 12 wk of treatment with pollen extract compared to placebo. Response, defined as a decrease of the NIH-CPSI total score by at least 25% or at least 6 points, was seen in the pollen extract versus placebo group in 70.6% and 50.0% (p = 0.0141), respectively. Adverse events were minor in all patients studied. Conclusions: Compared to placebo, the pollen extract significantly improved total symptoms, pain, and QoL in patients with inflammatory CP/CPPS without severe side-effects. (C) 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.