NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say the first human trial of gene transfer therapy for erectile dysfunction is effective and eliminates need for drugs.
Dr. Arnold Melman and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine say such gene transfer therapy might become the future treatment of choice for the common medical problem.
"This is an exciting field of research because current treatments for men with erectile dysfunction, whether pills or minimally invasive therapies, must be used 'on demand,' thereby reducing the spontaneity of the sexual act," said Melman.
Melman and two study centers worked with 11 men, administering various doses of a transfer gene called hMaxi-K.
"While this phase 1 safety trial was not designed to provide efficacy answers, one patient in each of the higher dose groups (5,000 micrograms and 7,500 micrograms) reported clinically significant and sustained improvements in ED.," he said. "And, there have been no adverse effects with the patients in the study, so it has been proven to be safe."
The research appears in the most recent issue of the journal Human Gene Therapy.
