Intracavernous application of autologous bone marrow stem cells for medical treatment-refractory erectile dysfunction: A case report

Clinical case description: A 61-year-old man with severe erectile dysfunction related to diabetes mellitus of long duration was treated through intracavernous stem cell application. Transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells through a single intracavernous injection was performed. Clinical response, Doppler ultrasound of the penis, and adverse events were evaluated during the 50-week follow-up. The highest clinical response was reported at week 12, but it diminished thereafter. At the end of follow-up, ultrasound identified the presence of neovascularization emerging from the cavernous arteries. Relevance: Numerous preclinical trials have demonstrated efficacy and safety, but there is insufficient clinical evidence showing promising results. Clinical implications: No adverse events were detected, and ultrasound revealed hemodynamic changes that were possibly related to the therapy. The source and dosage of stem cells, as well as subsequent therapeutic applications, pose questions that remain to be answered. Conclusions: Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction is a field of research that has sparked interest in numerous scientific groups, but clinical experience is still limited.