Novel Emerging Therapies for Erectile Dysfunction

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Currently, several treatments exist for the improvement of erectile dysfunction (ED). These include medical therapies such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is), invasive methods such as intracavernosal injection therapy of vaso-active substances, vacuum erection devices, and penile prosthesis implants. However, the percentage of patients that are unresponsive to available treatments and who drop out from treatments remains high. Current evidence reveals that the pathogenesis of ED is related to multiple factors including underlying comorbidities, previous surgery, and psychological factors. Diverse approaches using novel molecular pathways or new technologies have been tested as potential therapeutic options for difficultto-treat ED populations. Melanocortin receptor agonist, a centrally acting agent, showed promising results by initiating erection without sexual stimulation in non-responders to PDE5-Is. Recent clinical and pre-clinical studies using human tissues suggested that new peripherally acting agents including the Max-K channel activator, guanylate cyclase activator, and nitric oxide donor could be potential therapies either as a monotherapy or in combination with PDE5-Is in ED patients. According to several clinical trials, regeneration therapy using stem cells showed favorable data in men with diabetic or post-prostatectomy ED. Low-intensity shock wave th

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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