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Stem-cell therapy for erectile dysfunction: a review of clinical outcomes

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 271–277 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) has increased in recent decades. Although many treatments offer some benefits for patients with ED, unmet therapeutic needs remain, and promising new approaches are under investigation. One of these approaches is the use of stem-cell (SC) therapy for ED. We comprehensively reviewed the published literature and ongoing phase 1 and phase 2 trials and identified 27 trials by using SC therapy to treat ED. Of the 27 trials, three have been withdrawn, nine have published results, six are complete but without published results, and nine trials are ongoing or have an “unknown” status. Our analysis revealed that SC therapy represents a promising option to treat ED, although published data exist for less than 100 patients. Large placebo-controlled trials with longer follow-up are needed to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of SC therapy for ED.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern California Hospital Heart Institute, Culver City, CA, 90232, USA

    Mingyue He & Ernst R. von Schwarz

  2. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA

    Ernst R. von Schwarz

  3. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Ernst R. von Schwarz

  4. University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Ernst R. von Schwarz

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  1. Mingyue He
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Correspondence to Ernst R. von Schwarz.

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The authors have no financial affiliation or involvement with any organization with a financial interest/conflict associated with the studies discussed in this paper. This includes expert testimony, employment, honoraria, consultancies, stock options or ownership, grants or patents pending/received, or royalties.

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He, M., von Schwarz, E.R. Stem-cell therapy for erectile dysfunction: a review of clinical outcomes. Int J Impot Res 33, 271–277 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-0279-8

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