Intracavernous administration of bone marrow mononuclear cells: a new method of treating erectile dysfunction?

While PDE5 inhibitors have revolutionized treatment of ED, approximately 30% of patients are non-responsive. A significant cause of this is vascular and smooth muscle dysfunction, as well as nerve atrophy. Autologous administration of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) has been performed in over 2000 cardiac patients without adverse effects, for stimulation of angiogenesis/regeneration. Despite its ease of access, and dependence on effective vasculature for function, comparatively little has been perform in terms of BMMC therapy for ED. Here we outline the rationale for use of autologous BMMC in patients with ED, as well as provide early safety data on the first use of this procedure clinically.

Introduction

Erectile responses require a coordinated increase in arterial inflow, which originates from the pudendal arteries, relaxation of the corporal smooth muscle, and inhibition of venous outflow [1,2]. Key to this response is production of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells and nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) postganglionic parasympathetic neurons, as well as responsiveness to this. NO binds to, and activates, the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which in turn catalyzes the generation of cGMP from GTP. As a result, cGMP induces a cascade of signals in the smooth muscle cells resulting in relaxation [3]. Breakdown of cGMP in the cavernosal tissue is mediated by PDE-5. Increasing the duration of NO signaling by preventing cGMP breakdown is the main mechanism of action for the successful PDE-5 inhibitor class of drugs which currently are used as first-line treatment of ED [4]. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that these drugs have other beneficial effects such as stimulation of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cell function [5-9], inhibition of smooth muscle cell apoptosis [10,11], preservation/restoration of function in post-prostatectomy settings [12,13] and activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons in the CNS to promote sexual behavior [14].

Unfortunately, a significant number of patients are resistant to effects of PDE5 inhibitors [15]. Major factors associated with this include atherosclerosis, nerve damage and smooth muscle atrophy [16]. Several approaches have demonstrated some promise in the improvement of responsiveness to PDE5 inhibitors including propionyl-L-carnitine [17,18], intracavernous PGE1 [19], and testosterone gel [20,21]. However these studies are early and do not address the underlying biological cause in many of the situations of ED. Since the majority of ED cases appear to be a manifestation of systemic atherosclerotic disease [22,23], and various forms of stem cell therapy have shown some efficacy in other manifestation of atherosclerotic disease [24-35], the possibility of applying such regenerative approaches to ED has been considered by investigators in animal models [36-48].

Circulating endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in ED

Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction of the penile microvasculature is one of the major causes of ED. This is particularly relevant since the penile arteries have the smallest diameter of the vascular network and thus are the most sensitive to these changes [49]. Therefore in order to develop means to treat ED, it is important to understand how the vasculature self-renews itself. The bone marrow serves as a continuous supply of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) for the systemic vasculature. The concept of endothelial renewal by circulating cells was described by Asahara et al who demonstrated that cells expressing VEGFR-2 and CD34 were capable of incorporating into sites of active angiogenesis induced by wire injury or ischemia. The authors of the study found comparable cells in the human system [50]. Subsequent studies have shown that several subtypes of circulating EPC exist, with some capable of giving rise to early colonies of endothelial cells in vitro and others giving rise to late colonies [51]. In general, the majority of studies assessing EPC function in humans detect the cells using a combination of the CD34, AC133, and VEGFR-2 markers, although both the early and late outgrowth populations of cells are present in this phenotypic subset [52].

Increases in circulating EPC have been described in studies of acute inflammation such as myocardial infarction and stroke [53-57]. It has been demonstrated that tissue injury causes site-specific upregulation of chemotactic factors such as stromal derived factor (SDF)-1, which in turn mobilize EPC from bone marrow compartments into the site of injury to participate in formation of new blood vessels [58]. Supporting this, positive correlations have been found between post-stroke increase in circulating EPC and better prognosis [59]. Conversely, basal low levels of EPC predict cardiovascular events [60]. Numerous studies have demonstrated in animal models that administration of exogenous EPC increases vascular repair. This has been shown using in vitro generated EPC, or bone marrow as a source of EPC in myocardial infarct [61,62], stroke [63], lung injury [64-66], liver failure [67-69], and endothelial injury atherosclerotic models [70,71]. Furthermore, administration of growth factors that stimulate mobilization of bone marrow stem cells and EPC have demonstrated therapeutic benefit in animal models of ischemic disease [72,73] as well as endothelial damage [74]. Clinical trials administering EPC or bone marrow as a source of EPC for cardiovascular conditions [28,75-77], have demonstrated some therapeutic benefit, although work is ongoing. Indeed various other factors may be needed to augment efficacy. For example, it was recently discovered that testosterone levels correlate with ability of EPC to function [78,79]. Specifically, castrated mice possess marked deficiencies in ability to undergo spontaneous angiogenesis in responses to hindlimb ischemia [80]. In the cardiac studies testosterone levels were not tested, and it is believed that a significant segment of the older population has a deficiency in testosterone [81].

In states of chronic inflammation, EPC activity is decreased. Specifically, conditions such as diabetes [82-86], hypercholesteremia [87-92], obesity [93,94] and cardiovascular disease [95,96] all are associated with decreased circulating EPC compared to controls. Interestingly, in volunteers that do not suffer from cardiovascular disease but have cardiovascular disease risk factors as assessed by the Framingham risk factor score, a negative correlation is found between cardiovascular risk and EPC function. Unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking also decreases EPC. In a study by Kondo et al undetectable levels of EPC were found when colony formation was assessed, and significantly reduced levels of cells possessing EPC phenotype were found in smokers compared to healthy controls [97]. Smoking cessation for 4 weeks was capable of increasing EPC numbers, whereas when subjects restarted smoking after the 4 weeks, EPC levels dropped again.

Since ED appears to be one of the early manifestations of systemic cardiovascular disease, it is not surprising that ED patients possess a deficiency in circulating EPC. In a study by Baumhäkel et al, numbers of of CD34(+)/KDR(+) and CD133(+) cells were assessed in 119 coronary artery disease patients. Prevalence of ED, as assessed by the KEED questionnaire was 59.7% in this population. Low levels of CD133 cells were identified as an independent risk factor for ED when adjustments for age, diabetes, hypertension, BMI, smoking, LVEF, use of statins and lower urinary tract symptoms, and prior coronary intervention [98]. A subsequent study by Esposito et al in 60 otherwise healthy overweight men of which 30 suffered from ED and 30 did not, revealed a significant direct correlation between circulating CD34(+)KDR(+) cells and erectile function as assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire [99]. Foresta et al utilized high resolution echo color doppler to quantify penile atherosclerosis associated with ED by measuring the intima media thickness [IMT] in the penile vasculature before and after intracavernous alprostadil injection. Twenty patients with ED and 15 controls were recruited for the study. A progressive reduction of circulating EPC with the severity of cavernous artery atherosclerosis was found [100].

Given the low number of EPC in heart failure patients, it may be reasonable to believe that there is a diminished regenerative capacity of the endothelium in the cavernousum. Thus administration of cells possessing EPC function may be useful.

Angiogenic cytokines and ED

Cytokines play a critical role in coordinating the process of angiogenesis and vascular renewal by EPC. SDF-1 is a fundamental factor in stimulation of angiogenesis, which functions to attract EPC to areas of injury [101]. Conditions of reduced blood flow or hypoxia induce activation of HIF-1 alpha, which in turn stimulate expression of SDF-1 [102]. SDF-1 administration has been demonstrated to augment activity of endogenous EPC and promote neovascularization in the cardiac setting [103]. On the other hand, various cytokines within the corpus cavernosum are needed for EPC to integrate and form new blood vessels. In ED it has been found that levels of angiogenic cytokines such as VEGF and FGF are reduced. In a rat model of ED induced by hypercholesteremia, a negative correlation between VEGF, angiopoietin-1, and angiopoietin-2 and erectile function was observed at the gene and protein level in cavernous tissue [104]. In a rabbit hypercholesteremia model, reduction in FGF-2 is observed in the cavernous tissue, and administration of this protein intracavernously results in a VEGF dependent restoration in function [105]. A possible functional correlation between decreased VEGF expression in the corpus cavernosum and ED is suggested in a study which showed rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet had a decrease in VEGF expression before onset of ED [106]. While in general, it appears that the process of aging decreases VEGF expression in the penile tissue [107,108], other factors associated with ED such as hyperglycemia [108], androgen deficiency [109], and chronic ischemia [110] appear to further cause decrease in VEGF expression.

Given that cellular therapy evolved after cytokine/gene therapy, numerous studies have been conducted assessing efficacy of administration of cytokines in models of ED. The rationale being that not only would transfer of agents such as VEGF augment neoangiogenesis and endothelial rejuvenation, but that they would also prevent apoptosis of endothelial cells as well as neurons in the cavernosum. Byrne et al. reported that a single intracavernous injection of VEGF protein or systemic injection was capable of restoring to normal in vitro smooth muscle relaxation in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Smooth muscle relaxation induced by both acetylcholine, which is endothelium dependent and sodium nitroprusside, which is NO mediated, was restored. Interestingly the authors found an increase in smooth muscle content of the cavernosum in animals that received intracavernous injection of VEGF but not systemic administration [111]. A previous preliminary study by the same group reported similar effects of VEGF when administered weekly for 4 weeks [112]. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that viral vector administration of VEGF is capable of restoring erectile function in testosterone deficient models of ED [113]. The effects of VEGF appear to be therapeutic in a variety of models of ED, for example Park et al demonstrated improvement in the aged rat model [114], Dall’Era et al demonstrated effects in the diabetes model [115], and Hsieh et al demonstrated efficacy in a crush-injury model [116].

Microarray analysis of rats with penile hypocirculation induced by pudendal artery ligation revealed that VEGF administration into the corpus cavernosum is associated with upregulation of eNOS and iNOS genes at 6 and 24 hours post administration [117]. Additional mechanisms of VEGF on ED include upregulation of eNOS function by phosphorylation on a specific serine residue [118]. Other mechanisms of VEGF on erectile function include stimulation of anti-apoptotic genes such as bcl-2 in the cavernosum [119], and modulation of the insulin-like growth factor system and sex hormone receptors [120].

Other angiogenic growth factors have been demonstrated to increase erectile function in animal models. For example, FGF-2, a heparin-binding growth factor has been demonstrated to increase smooth muscle content and prevent histological changes associated with ED in a hypercholesterolemia rabbit model subsequent to systemic administration [121]. Interestingly, therapeutic benefit was associated with augmentation of VEGF expression. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that local FGF-2 administration is capable of augmenting vasoreactivity of the corpus cavernosum in a similar model system [122]. IGF-1 is known to act as an anti-apoptotic molecule in several systems and stimulates angiogenesis, in part through induction of VEGF and VEGF receptor expression [123]. Suppression of IGF-1 production at a local level is found in uremia induced ED in animal models [124], and reduction at a systemic level is associated with aging and obesity [125,126]. The possibility that IGF-1 may be therapeutic in ED was suggested by studies in which regeneration of penile nerves was associated with upregulation of IGF-1 in a cavernous neurotomy model [127]. Administration of IGF-1 via adenoviral delivery into the penis was demonstrated to improve erectile function and smooth muscle mass in a streptozotocin-induced model of diabetes associated ED [128]. Furthermore, these date were confirmed in an age-associated rat model of ED, in which it was demonstrated that the effects of IGF-1 were mediated at least in part by stimulation of eNOS synthesis as well as augmented concentrations of cGMP [129].

Thus while it appears that VEGF, FGF-2 and IGF-1 are potential candidates for stimulation of cavernosum regeneration/rejuvenation therapy, trials using these agents in other cardiovascular conditions have yielded poor results [130]. Furthermore, although gene therapy into the corpus cavernosum has been demonstrated to possess promising safety data in early human trials [131], little work to our knowledge is being performed in this space. Cellular therapy possesses the potential advantages of: a) production of a regulated “symphony of therapeutic cytokines” based on the need of the local environment; b) relatively lower risk level, especially in autologous, non-expanded settings; and c) the ability of the cells to differentiate into effector cells. Therefore we will review previous work performed on cell therapy for ED.

Previous cellular therapy approaches to ED

Bone marrow stem cells have been used for over 4 decades in the area of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Stimulation of angiogenesis using this cell population has been performed in animal models of ischemia, as well as in clinical trials [132]. Kendirci et al used bone marrow cells that were isolated for expression of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor using magnetic activated cell sorting. They chose this population based on possible enhancement of neurogenic potential. Intracavernous administration of these cells into a rat bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury model was performed. At 4 week follow up, improvement in erectile function as assessed by mean intracavernous-to-mean arterial pressure ratio and total intracavernous pressure was assessed. Significant improvements were observed in animals receiving the p75 selected cells as compared to those receiving an equal concentration of bone marrow derived multipotent stromal cells, fibroblasts, or saline. Significantly higher levels of FGF-2 were found in the cavernosum of animals receiving the p75 selected cells [38]. To our knowledge this is the only animal experiments that utilized bone marrow derived cells without expansion in vitro.

The possibility of using mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of ED is enticing not only because these cells are known to secrete various growth factors that are beneficial in ED such as IGF-1 [133-135], VEGF [136], and FGF-2 [137], but also because of their anti-inflammatory activities [138], as well as possibility of differentiating into tissue relevant to the penile architecture [139]. To assess whether bone marrow derived MSC had a therapeutic effect on diabetes induced ED, Qiu et al performed intracavernous administration of these cells. Four weeks after administration, the ratio of intracavernous pressure and mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP ratio), as well as smooth muscle and endothelial cell compartment was significantly upregulated compared to controls. Cell tracking experiments revealed that the MSC were retained for at least 4 weeks post injection and showed expression of endothelial and smooth muscle cell markers, suggesting the possibility of transdifferentiation [37]. A subsequent study examined long term effects of MSC administration via the intracavernous route in aged rats. The study found that the mean cavernous cGMP levels after 3 and 4 months of MSCs transplantation were increased compared with those after 3 or 4 weeks, which were in turn higher than controls. Cavernous tissue ICP measurement showed significant increase in MSCs transplanted groups compared with the controls, which was more significant in the long-term follow up [40]. This suggests that some of the therapeutic effects of regenerative therapy may be observed in a more delayed setting as opposed to some of the previously mentioned gene therapy approaches. Similar therapeutic effects were observed with muscle derived MSC in the aged rat model, however long term follow-up was not performed [44]. Given that MSC may be used clinically in an allogeneic model, a xenogeneic model of human MSC into immune competent rats was performed. Administration of an immortalized human MSC clone into the cavernosum of Sprague Dawley rats resulted in differentiation into endothelial and smooth muscle cells [46]. Non-invasive imaging studies by the same group reported that human MSC may be found up to 12 weeks post injection in the cavernosum of rabbits and rats [45]. In order to augment therapeutic efficacy of MSC, genes for VEGF and eNOS were transfected into MSC for treatment of diabetes and age-associated ED, respectively. In both cases significant improvements in therapeutic efficacy were observed when gene transfected MSC were used in comparison to MSC alone [36,47].

Adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells represent a potent source of EPC, MSC and hematopoietic stem cells that has been used in clinical pilot trials and is part of veterinary medical practice in the USA [140]. The MSC component from SVF is postulated to possess some unique advantages to bone marrow MSC, such as augmented angiogenic activity, however this is controversial [43]. Several studies have used adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells that were in vitro expanded for the treatment of ED in the cavernosal nerve injury model [39], the hyperlipidemia model [41], and the streptozotocin induced diabetes model of ED [42]. Unfortunately it is still not clear which stem cell source is better since back to back experiments have not been performed. Given the potent angiogenic characteristics of the endometrial-derived MSC, termed endometrial regenerative cells (ERC) [141], it may be relevant to assess therapeutic effect of these cells in models of ED.

Clinical use of stem cells in treatment of ED has been reported by Bahk et al from Korea who treated 7 patients with diabetes associated ED which was unresponsive to medication for at least 6 months with an average of 1.5 × 10(7) cord blood mononuclear cells injected intracavernously. Three additional patients with similar characteristics were used as controls [142]. No treatment associated abnormalities were reported despite the allogeneic nature of the cells in absence of immune suppression. One month after treatment, morning erections were regained in 3 participants. By the third month post treatment 6 of the 7 patients had regained morning erections. In all patients rigidity increased as the result of cord blood administration, but was not sufficient for penetration. When the patients were administered PDE5 inhibitor before coitus, 2 achieved penetration and experienced orgasm, and maintained for more than 6 months; however, 1 participant could not achieved penetration at ninth month. Interestingly, an increase in sexual desire was reported in 6 of the 7 patients. No improvements were observed in any of the 3 control patients.

Overall these studies support: a) the rational for use of various adult stem cells in the treatment of ED, and b) the preliminary human feasibility.

Bone marrow mononuclear cells

Bone marrow mononuclear cells have been used as a stem cell source for over 40 years in the field of hematological transplantation [143]. Non-hematopoietic uses of bone marrow mononuclear cells have historically included transplantation for post infarct recovery of the heart. The rationale behind this is that bone marrow cells contain angiogenic cells [144], which support production of new blood vessels and accelerate healing of the infracted scar. Chimeric studies demonstrated a critical role of the c-kit receptor in that bone marrow from c-kit mutant mice was not able to reverse pathological remodeling and inhibit infarct size, post infarct [145]. Additionally, it is believed that bone marrow derived cells are capable of directly differentiating into myocardial tissue [146]. This rationale stimulated the first report of bone marrow administration for treatment of post infarct cardiac damage.

In 2001 Strauer et al [147], reported a case report of a 46-year-old man who suffered a transmural infarction as a result of an occluded anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Six days after the infarct and subsequent to angioplasty and stent placement, the patient was administered 1-2 × 10(7) bone marrow mononuclear cells via a percutaneous transluminal catheter placed in the infarct-related artery. At 10 weeks after the stem cell transplantation the infarct area was diminished from 24.6% to 15.7% of left ventricular circumference, while ejection fraction, cardiac index and stroke volume were increased by 20-30%. Exercise-induced end diastolic volume was decreased by 30% and a similar decrease in mean pulmonary capillary pressure was observed. A subsequent study of 9 post infarct patients receiving autologous bone marrow into infarct related artery revealed improvements in ejection fraction and diminished improved regional wall motion in the infarct zone at 4 month follow-up. Additionally at the same time point a reduction in end-systolic left ventricular volumes. In the historical control group no significant change in ejection fraction, nor end-systolic volumes was observed [148]. Although larger double blind trials have reported mixed results [149-151], the overall consensus is that bone marrow administration post infarct induces a mild benefit in terms of ejection fraction and reduction in pathological remodeling [152,153].

In addition to post-infarct healing, bone marrow mononuclear cells have been extensively used for the direct stimulation of angiogenesis. In the cardiac arena, one of the first stem cell uses was reported by Hamano et al in 2001 [154], who used autologous bone marrow implantation into the ischemic area of patients with ischemia heart disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. At 1 year follow-up 3 of the 5 patients treated reported objective functional improvement with angiogenesis visualized at the points of injection by imaging [154]. Subsequent studies have been conducted demonstrating benefit of direct intramyocardial injections of bone marrow mononuclear cells. Beeres et al [155]. reported improved exercise capacity, ejection fraction, and quality of life at 3 and 6 month timepoints after autologous bone marrow therapy in severe angina. A 50-patient double blinded study of myocardial ischemia patients who were non-responsive to medical intervention and ineligible for coronary revascularization demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in cardiac perfusion using autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells implanted intramyocardially [156].

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe form of peripheral artery disease whose only treatment is percutaneous or surgical revascularization for patients who have favorable anatomy. Patients who do not, usually require amputation. Formation of collateral blood vessels surrounding the area of occlusion is a well documented phenomenon in patients with CLI (reviewed in ref [157]) and is believed to be caused by circulating stem/progenitor cells that cause localized angiogenesis. Indeed because of these previous observations, investigators have questioned whether the process of endogenous angiogenesis could be augmented by intramuscular implantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells into the ischemic limb. The first clinical trial using this procedure was reported by Tateishi-Yuyama et al. who reported a statistically significant increase in perfusion, walking distance, and oxygenation of ischemic legs as compared to baseline in one group, and in another study group as compared to injection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells [158]. Subsequent groups have repeated the finding that autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells have a therapeutic effect on angiogenesis in the ischemic leg. Nizankowski et al reported reduction of pain and improved perfusion in 10 patients with Fountaine IV class CLI [159]. A similar open label study in 12 CLI patients demonstrated improvements in resting ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)), pain-free walking time and rest pain scale evaluation [160]. A larger, 51 patient study, demonstrated improvement in a mean Rutherford category of 4.9 at baseline to 3.3 at 6 months, as well as reduction in analgesics consumption by 62%. Perfusion was increased as detected by ankle brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen. Furthermore, total walking distance improved in nonamputees from zero to 40 m [161].

Thus the process of systemic or local administration of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells has been shown to have therapeutic effects in ischemia associated heart failure and limb dysfunction. In other conditions such as liver failure [162] and stroke [163], studies have shown this source of cells mediates therapeutic effects, possibly in part by stimulation of angiogenesis [164].

Given that bone marrow mononuclear cells can be extracted and concentrated in FDA-approved closed system devices, and are already being used under the practice of medicine for a variety of indications, we sought to explore the safety and feasibility of intracavernous administration of these cells in a patient suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Case report

A 35 year old patient presented to us with a history of erectile dysfunction unresponsive to oral PDE5 inhibitors. The patient was a smoker and had a history of hypercholesteremia, marginal effects from intracorporal PGE1 (Caverject) administration, 2 years ago, but as of 6 months, the treatment had no effect. Psychogenic ED was discounted based on 2 independent nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) tests, which revealed abnormal findings. Normal was defined as having at least 1 episode of nocturnal erection of at least 10 minutes duration with a 2-cm increase in tumescence of the tip and 3-cm increase in tumescence of the base, together with 70% rigidity in the tip and base using the RigiScan monitoring [165]. Upon discussing with his urologist, the patient began seeking penile prosthesis implant. After being explained and understanding the experimental nature of the proposed procedure, the patient signed informed consent. The procedure was approved by the relevant institutional review board. The patient was in otherwise good health. Tumor markers AFP, PSA, CA19-9, and CEA, hematology, biochemistry panel and coagulation were unremarkable. CT scans of the chest, ultrasound of the abdominal area, and fecal occult test were also unremarkable.

The patient was administered one tablet of Vocodin (7.5 mg hydrocodone) and one tablet of Xanax (1 mg) 30 minutes before the procedure. Local lidocaine was applied topically at the area of bone marrow puncture. A total of 60 ml of bone marrow aspirate was obtained and processed in a closed-system bone marrow concentration device. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were concentrated to a volume of 2 ml, with 1 ml administered into each cavernousal body using a 25 gauge syringe. A tourniquet was placed around the base of the penis during the injection procedure and held for 5 minutes to allow for maximal retention

No immediate injection-associated adverse events were noted. The patient reported a morning erection 2 days after cell administration. Although angiogenesis could not occur during this short time period, the possibility of bone marrow released nitric oxide stimulating erections via vasodilation may be postulated [166]. Three weeks after treatment, the patient reported erection strong enough for penetration, but did not have ability to sustain the erection until orgasm. At three month follow-up the patient reported having intercourse until orgasm several times and a marked increase in morning erections. Importantly, no adverse effects or ectopic tissue formation was observed at the 3, 12 and 18 month follow-up. At last visit, 18 months after procedure, the patient still reported improved sexual function as compared to prior to treatment.

Conclusion

Bone marrow stem cell therapy has demonstrated therapeutic effects in clinical trials of heart failure and advanced peripheral artery disease. The rationale for bone marrow stem cell therapy of the penis in patients with erectile dysfunction is strong given that: a) The penile vasculature is the most endothelial-rich anatomical region of the body, thus even a small amount of therapeutic cells are likely to be incorporated; b) Blood flow in the flaccid penis is slower compared to systemic circulation, thus allowing for superior retention; and c) ease of injection given its external location. From an ethical perspective, the procedure of penile prosthesis implantation requires destruction of the cavernous, thus making it irreversible. The feasibility of the injection procedure, the fact that no adverse effects were noted, and the ease of the procedure, supports expanded clinical trials using this intervention.

Competing interests

TW is the CEO and a shareholder of Creative Medical Health Inc.

Authors’ contributions

TEI, TW, OC, JLC, and ANP reviewed the literature, wrote the paper, and proofread the final copy. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.