An international group of researchers has discovered a drug combination that could stop the progression of fibrosis, a process that characterizes the significant curvature of the penis that is known as Peyronie’s disease. This possible new treatment for Peyronie’s disease could also help in the management of other conditions that are marked by fibrosis, ranging from cirrhosis of the liver to fibrosis of the heart, kidneys, lung, and other organs.
How do we treat Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease involves scarring of the penile tissue that causes the organ to bend or curve. Depending on the severity of the curvature, erectile function can be significantly impaired. In addition, the condition is also associated with physical pain as well as mental and emotional trauma.
Treatment of Peyronie’s disease ranges from watch and wait to oral and topical medications, injections into the penis, traction, vitamin E, penis pumps, electroshock wave therapy, and surgery.
The level of satisfaction associated with these treatment options is not always good, and so any new therapeutic options are welcome.
The new study of Peyronie’s disease treatment
A scientific team composed of experts from Anglia Ruskin University, University College London, and KU Leuven developed a model and tested 21 different drugs on cells and in animals. They discovered that a combination of oral drugs for erectile dysfunction (e.g., phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil) plus a selective estrogen receptor modulator (e.g., tamoxifen, raloxifene) effectively stopped the fibrosis that causes Peyronie’s disease
Fibrosis is a worrisome health challenge in that it is estimated to be the cause of about 45 percent of all deaths, according to the United States government. The findings of this latest study “is an important breakthrough,” according to lead author Professor Selim Cellek, of Anglia Ruskin University. Cellek also noted that “Although we do not believe this particular drug combination will be able to reverse the fibrotic process, it has the potential to treat all fibrotic diseases and halt progression,” including Peyronie’s disease.
References
Anglia Ruskin University. Breakthrough for treatment of fibrotic diseases. 2018 Nov 5
Ilg MM et al. Antifibrotic synergy between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators in Peyronie’s disease models. European Urology 2018
Wynn TA. Fibrotic disease and the Th1/Th2 paradigm. Nature Reviews Immunology 2004 Aug; 4(8): 583-94
