Stem cells help some men get erections again

Mar 27, 2017 06:00 am

Men unable to have an erection after prostate surgery enjoyed normal intercourse thanks to stem cell therapy, scientists reported.

In first-phase clinical trials, eight out of 15 men suffering from erectile dysfunction had sex six months after the one-time treatment, without recourse to drugs or penile implants.

The positive result showed no signs of flagging during a subsequent year-long monitoring period.

"As far as we know, this is the first time a human study with a 12-month follow-up shows the treatment is lasting and safe," said Professor Lars Lund of Odense University Hospital in Denmark.

The results were promising enough for the Danish health authorities to authorise "double-blind" randomised trials, in which one group of men is given stem cell therapy and another placebos.- AFP