Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction: Preliminary results from a single-center pilot study in Greece

Introduction: Stem cell therapy is a novel therapy that aims in regenerating tissues and organs and therefore, improves their condition or treats current diseases. The use of stem cell therapy in organic erectile dysfunction is a new alternative to the till now used treatments for erectile dysfunction. Material-Methods: This is a pilot study to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of adipose derived stem cell therapy in erectile dysfunction (ED). Fifteen patients (aged 45-75) will be enrolled and divided in three groups: group A will be treated with adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) plus Platelet Lysate Plasma (PLP), group B with ADSCs and group C with PLP. In each patient blood samples will be taken for hormonal and metabolic evaluation and CT scans of the abdomen, thorax and brain will be performed to rule out other pathologies. ED evaluation will be performed at the entry visit and then at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month visit through IIEF questionnaire and penile triplex. ADSCs will be collected from subcutaneous abdomen fat through punch biopsy or liposuction and after processing will be injected to the penis. Results: Five patients have been enrolled in group A and they have completed three months of follow up. In all patients there is a significant improvement in erectile function. Morning erections have reappeared or improved in all patients. Unassisted hard erections or erections with the use of oral PDE-5i are present in patients that needed Intracavernous injections (ICI) before treatment or were unable to have erections at all.  No side effects or complications are noted so far. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy with ADSCs for ED seems a promising therapy with encouraging results. Further studies and long follow up period is needed to fully evaluate this experimental treatment.