Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Step towards a Future Treatment

Abstract

Background: The improvement of absent or partial response in the medical treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has led to the development of minimally invasive new treatment modalities in the field of regenerative medicine. Methods: A literature review on stem cell therapy for the treatment of ED was performed. We searched for the terms “erectile dysfunction” and “stem cell therapy” in PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov. Literature searching was conducted in English and included articles from 2010 to 2022. Results: New treatment modalities for ED involving stem cell therapy are not only conceived with a curative intent but also aim to avoid unnecessary adverse effects. Several sources of stem cells have been described, each with unique characteristics and potential applications, and different delivery methods have been explored. A limited number of interventional studies over the past recent years have provided evidence of a safety profile in their use and promising results for the treatment of ED, although there are not enough studies to generate an appropriate protocol, dose or cell lineage, or to determine a mechanism of action. Conclusions: Stem cell therapy is a novel treatment for ED with potential future applications. However, most urological societies agree that further research is required to conclusively prove its potential benefit.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction by intracavernosal administration of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with diabetes mellitus

“…Another hypothesis suggests that their use has a paracrine effect, regulating some of the key mediators involved in erection, such as calcium and nitric oxide concentrations. Perhaps the goal of MSC therapy is to regulate the endocrine aspects of ED ( 18 , 19 ). Moreover, stem cells have anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic effects ( Figure-1 ).…”

Evaluation of the efficacy of stem cell therapy in erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: a comprehensive systematic review

“…Pérez et al [18] described that the action mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells was uncertain. Stem cells were believed…”

“…Studies on the application of mesenchymal stem cells and the important mediators in erection mechanism such as intracellular nitric oxide and calcium concentrations had been conducted. The therapeutic goal of SCT in ED was the intracellular regulation of nitric oxide and calcium through various transmembrane transport ionic channels, however, the precise action mechanism was unknown [18].…”

New developments in erectile dysfunction treatments: A role for regenerative medicine

“…Stem cells' immunomodulatory and antiapoptotic qualities eventually prevent further injury to the penile muscles or nerves. Stem cells are an effective regenerative treatment option for ED because they increase meaning arterial pressure (MAP) when combined with other therapies [74].…”