Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy of Low-intensity Shockwave vs Radial Wave for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Pelvic Pain

The purpose of this study to perform a randomized, sham controlled analysis of the effectiveness of both fSWT and rWT in the relief of erectile dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

EVERiST: Impact of Image Detected Accessory Pudendal Artery on Erection Recovery After Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men in the United Kingdom, and two common curative treatments are surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) or radiotherapy. Both treatments can affect quality of life, mainly because of problems with erections and urinary leakage. Many men feel disappointed or regret their treatment choice because of changes in their sexual function. Surgeons often use a 'nerve-sparing' technique to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), but many men still experience erection problems afterwards. A way to improve erectile function recovery after surgery further would be to identify accessory (additional) arteries to the penis. Up to one in three men have an extra artery called the accessory pudendal artery (APA). Preserving this artery during surgery may improve recovery of erections by protecting blood flow and reducing the risk or severity of ED. Until recently, surgeons could only try to see these arteries during the operation, and no study has tested whether they are preserved or whether this makes a difference. This has changed with the advent of imaging. Men already have an advanced MRI scan (called a multiparametric MRI) before prostate cancer treatment. These scans can also show whether an APA is present. In addition, robotic surgery, now the gold standard for radical prostatectomy, allows operations to be video recorded. This allows comparison of what was seen on the scan with what happened during surgery and then monitoring of recovery afterwards. Early research suggests that men with an APA have better erections before surgery. This study will test whether preserving the APA during surgery helps erections recover afterwards. In this first phase of the research (Phase 1), a feasibility study will be carried out at University College London Hospital. The study will invite 20-40 men with good sexual function before surgery, who are having robotic prostatectomy with a nerve-sparing approach. Multiparametric MRI scans will be used to identify whether an APA is present and video recordings will be collected to see if the artery was preserved. Participants will complete simple questionnaires on erections and quality of life before and after surgery up to 1 year. To assess whether the artery was preserved, an extra MRI scan will be organised after surgery for those with an APA, as well as penile ultrasound to assess erectile machinery. Ethical approval has already been obtained from the regulatory bodies, and the study is ready to start recruiting participants. The results will allow planning of a larger, national study (Phase 2). That study will test whether preserving the APA improves erectile recovery, reduces the severity of ED, and improves quality of life. If confirmed, this research could lead to modification in surgical approach, more personalised counselling before surgery, and reduced long-term need for costly ED treatments within the NHS.

Clinical Trial Investigating the Effect of Exosomes as a Complementary Treatment in Severe to Moderate Erectile Dysfunction

The goal of this clinical trial is to Investigate the Effect of Injection of MSC-Derived Exosome on Patients with Erectile Dysfunction in overall healthy males, aged 18-70, with-out any severe active medical condition, with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction based on IIEF-5, and non-satisfactory response to other treatments (5PDEI). The main question it aims to answer is: • Is MSC-derived exosome safe and effective in treating patients with ED by improving IIEF-5 score? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare the intervention group (Exosome receiving group) with control group (placebo receiving group) to see if exosomes are safe and effective in treating male adult patients with moderate-sever ED. Participants will receive six weekly injections of normal saline or exosome (based on group), and will undergo necessarily follow up, and examinations and observation.

PRP Exosomes Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

It will be a Single-arm, single-center, feasibility clinical trial with Primary Objective to investigate the treatment efficacy of PRP-derived exosomes injection in men with mild-moderate vasculogenic ED, as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Also secondary objectives will be to study the adverse events and safety of the PRP-derived exosomes injection treatment in vasculogenic ED patients Study Centers The study will be carried out at Saint Lucas Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. Laboratory tests of all patients will be performed at the hospital's microbiology laboratory. PRP-derived exosomes preparation and application will take place at the Regenerative Clinic.

Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) has been deemed "a safe and well-tolerated procedure but its efficacy for the treatment of ED is doubtful and deserves more investigation" by the European Society of Sexual Medicine. In a similar manner, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and American Urological Association have put forth guideline statements recommending additional investigation of this treatment modality.2 The current clinical armamentarium only treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction without improving upon the underlying pathophysiology. LiSWT has been used effectively in musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular applications. Animal studies have shown improvements in angiogenesis and stem cell recruitment in other systems (cardiac and musculoskeletal) using shockwave therapy. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction since 2010 and is widely used in Europe and throughout the world. It is gaining widespread acceptance in the United States with a relative paucity of data in regards to its effectiveness. While the majority of studies and meta-analyses show improvements in standardized erectile dysfunction questionnaires (IIEF/SHIM-Sexual Health Inventory in Men, International Index of Erectile Function-5) the durability remains unknown and many have lacked a sham-arm. In addition, many studies have failed to assess a population of men who have highly prevalent erectile dysfunction, those men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. This is a prospective, randomized, single blind, sham-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) on symptomatic ED patients in three distinct patient populations. LiSWT has shown the potential to improve baseline erectile function but requires further study, which is the aim of this investigation.