Collagenase clostridium histolyticum

Uses

In February 2010, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States approved Xiaflex for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. It is the first approved nonsurgical treatment for this condition. In a case of Dupuytren's contracture, collagen accumulates in the palmar fascia of the hands, so that the fingers cannot be straightened. A similar phenomenon occurs in Peyronie's disease, a contracture of the penis.

In February 2011, the European Commission's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use approved the product for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture in adults with a palpable cord by 'properly trained' doctors. Pfizer was reported to be working with Europe's national medicines regulatory bodies to launch the new treatment, hoping doctors could prescribe the treatment by late 2011.

On November 7, 2012, BioSpecifics announced Auxilium's submission of a License Application to the FDA for Xiaflex for the potential treatment of Peyronie's disease, an excess of inelastic collagen causing penile curvature deformity. The FDA approved Xiaflex for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in December 2013. Following this, Xiapex gained EU approval for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in February 2015, making it the first and only biologic therapy indicated for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. Auxilium has also reported additional trials for potential use of Xiaflex are underway for the treatment of frozen shoulder, cellulite reductions and both human and canine lipomas.

In March 2020, the Swedish manufacturer abruptly withdrew distribution of this drug in Europe for commercial reasons. Collagenase is no longer available on the National Health System except as part of a small clinical trial.

Side effects

The most common side effects include lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), itching, pain, oedema, and bleeding (for example in the form of bruises or ecchymoses). Allergic reactions are seen in less than 1% of patients.

In Peyronie's disease, potential side effects include corporal rupture (penile fracture) or other serious penile injury.

Chemical properties

The substance is a constant mixture of two collagenases (AUX-I and AUX-II) with known amino acid sequences and a length of about 1000 amino acids each. It is prepared by anaerobic fermentation from a strain of C. histolyticum that has been known since 1950.

Pharmacology

The enzymes do not reach the bloodstream in significant amounts and are presumed to largely stay at the point of injection until they are broken down by proteases.

The two collagenases act synergistically by cleaving tropocollagen (the 'collagen molecule') at different points. AUX-I attacks the C- and N-termini, AUX-II cleaves amino acid bonds within the molecule. Small collagen fragments are broken down by both enzymes.

Interactions

No interaction studies have been conducted because the drug does not reach the bloodstream and the liver. It is theorised that drugs interfering with matrix metalloproteinases, such as tetracyclines, anthracyclines, quinolones, and anthraquinone derivatives, could reduce the efficacy of the collagenases, but no clinical evidence for such an interaction has been observed.

References

References

1. "Collagenase ColH of Hathewaya histolytica (Clostridium histolyticum) [Q46085]".
2. (February 2, 2010). "FDA Approves Xiaflex for Debilitating Hand Condition". [[Food and Drug Administration]].
3. (March 15, 2010). "Triumph for Drug to Straighten Clenched Fingers". [[The New York Times]].
4. (March 15, 2010). "Bringing Movement Back to Clenched Hands". [[The New York Times]].
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6. [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217991.php ''Xiapex (Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum) Authorised In The European Union For Dupuytren's Contracture'', Medical News Today, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, 3 March 2011]{{Dead link. (July 2025)
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12. (June 1, 2018). "label".
13. (9 May 2011). "Dupuytren'sche Kontraktur erstmals medikamentös behandelbar: Xiapex". Österreichische Apothekerzeitung.