Stem cell assisted low-intensity shockwave for erectile dysfunction treatment: Current perspective

Abstract

Stem cell therapy and low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave (LI-ECSW) are recognized as potential restorative therapies and have been used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Stem cell therapy is well-known due to its attributed regenerative ability and thus can help to improve erectile function in patients with vasculogenic ED. Besides, current evidence also shows that LI-ECSW therapy can help stimulate cell recruitment and proliferation and promote angiogenesis and vascularization in the damaged tissue. Hence, due to the therapeutic and restorative effects of both therapies, the success of ED treatment can be elevated through a combination therapy between stem cell therapy and LI-ECSW. In this review, a detailed description and efficacy discussion of combination therapies between different types of stem cells and LI-ECSW therapy are described. Besides, other potential cell types to use together with LI-ECSW are also listed in this review. Thus, this review provides better insight on the efficacy of combination therapy for ED treatment.

Keywords

• Combination therapy
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave (LI-ECSW)
• Stem cell therapy
• Treatment