Applications of autologous platelet-rich plasma and adult stem cells for erectile dysfunction: current status and perspectives

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common conditions affecting the sexual lives of middleaged and older men. The pathophysiology of penile erection is rather complex and concerns many specialists, such as andrologists, urologists, endocrinologists, and cardiologists. Recently, there has been a significant increase in our understanding of ED, detailed up to the gene and molecular level. Therefore, treatments for this disease are also more advanced and comprise numerous novel medications and therapies such as oral medications with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and modern penile prosthesis implantation. However, these therapeutic approaches have an impact in relieving the symptoms of ED and have not thoroughly resolved their reasons. Regenerative therapeutics including intracavernosal injection with platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy have gained considerable attention because of their ability to generate new penile tissue as well as reverse ED. The use of these novel ED treatments is emerging due to their safety and long-term efficacy based on substantial preclinical evidence. However, only a few clinical trials have been conducted and demonstrate promising outcomes. This article will briefly review the scientific evidence on these regenerative therapeutics for ED.