Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy Outperforms Drug Combination for BPH Symptom Relief, Trial Shows

Key Takeaways

• Rezüm lowered IPSS scores more than combination therapy.
• Sexual function remained stable with Rezüm, declined with drugs.
• No significant difference in retreatment or adverse events.
• Trial involved 151 men across France and Australia.
• Findings support Rezüm as first‑line BPH option.

Summary

Boston Scientific announced that its Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy outperformed standard combination drug therapy in a 12‑month VAPEUR trial for symptomatic BPH in sexually active men. The study of 151 patients showed a 4.6‑point greater reduction in IPSS scores and preserved sexual function, while combination therapy led to a decline. No significant difference was observed in retreatment rates or major adverse events. Results position Rezūm as a potential first‑line alternative to alpha‑blocker and 5‑ARI regimens.

Pulse Analysis

BPH affects up to 90 % of men over 85, making urinary symptom management a major urological concern. Traditionally, physicians start with pharmacologic regimens, most commonly a combination of an alpha‑blocker and a 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitor, to ease lower urinary tract symptoms. While effective, these drugs carry well‑documented side effects such as dizziness, hypotension and sexual dysfunction, prompting many patients to discontinue therapy. The need for a treatment that delivers comparable relief without systemic exposure has driven interest in minimally invasive procedures, which can be performed in outpatient settings and often spare sexual health.

The VAPEUR trial, an open‑label, randomized study across France and Australia, directly compared Rezüm Water Vapour Therapy with the standard drug combination in 151 sexually active men aged 45 and older. At twelve months, Rezüm achieved a mean IPSS improvement 4.6 points greater than the drug arm, a statistically significant margin (p = 0.0004). Moreover, Men’s Sexual Health Questionnaire scores remained stable after Rezüm but fell by more than five points with medication, underscoring the procedure’s ability to preserve erectile and ejaculatory function. Retreatment rates and serious adverse events were comparable between groups, reinforcing safety parity.

These findings give clinicians a data‑backed alternative that can be positioned as first‑line therapy for men who prioritize sexual health or who cannot tolerate combination drugs. For Boston Scientific, the results open a pathway to expand Rezüm’s footprint in urology clinics worldwide, potentially increasing procedural volume and offsetting drug‑related revenue streams. Payers may also view the therapy favorably, given its comparable efficacy and reduced need for chronic medication. As guidelines evolve to incorporate evidence‑based minimally invasive options, the market for water‑vapour ablation is likely to accelerate, prompting competitors to innovate or pursue similar technologies.