Title:Emerging Molecular Targets for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: Vascular and Regenerative Therapies on the Horizon
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Author(s): Inger Stallmann-Jorgensen and R. Clinton Webb
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Erectile dysfunction, heme oxygenase-1, microparticles, myeloperoxidase, platelets, regenerative therapies,
vascular inflammation.
Abstract: Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has reached epidemic proportions not expected to
abate because of population aging and chronic diseases that accompany advanced age. Vasculopathy is
a main cause, but damage to penile innervation also underlies many cases of ED. Phosphodiesterase
inhibitor therapies do not help all men with ED, making the search for novel therapeutic drug and
treatment targets of utmost importance. Aims: To review the literature to identify potential new treatment
targets to fill a gap in therapeutic options for men with ED, with a focus on treatments for vasculogenic
ED, but including novel treatment targets for ED due to penile nerve damage, a frequent consequence
of pelvic surgery in men. Methods: The recent literature was searched for publications on in
vitro, in vivo, pre-clinical and observational human studies, when available, that would identify potential new targets for
ED therapies not previously, or not extensively reviewed. Results: Literature searches identified microparticles, myeloperoxidase,
and heme oxygenase-1 as emerging molecular targets to treat vasculogenic ED. Novel regenerative therapy
targets, including sonic hedgehog, galanin, and cell-based treatments were also reviewed as potential future treatments for
ED due to damage to penile innervation. Conclusion: Novel molecular targets and cell-based therapies offer great hope for
advances in ED treatment. Concerns regarding efficacy, toxicity, off target effects, safety, and convenience apply to these
targets; much work remains to confirm these as viable targets to pursue for effective ED treatments. To complement targets
discussed in this review relevant review papers were cited for the interested reader.
To complement targets discussed in this review relevant review papers were cited for the interested reader
