Experience with intraplaque injection of verapamil for Peyronie's disease

Multimodal treatments based on Tadalafil during acute phase of Peyronie's disease: experience at two referral academic centers

AIM

The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical outcomes of patients during acute phase of Peyronie's disease (PD) treated with daily Tadalafil 5 mg associated with non-surgical treatments such as intra-plaque verapamil injections (IVI), vacuum erection devices (VED) or extra corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).

METHODS

445 patients with PD in acute stage were treated as it follows: Group 1(G1) 117 men with only Tadalafil 5 mg once a day for 3 months; Group 2(G2) 106 men with IVI plus Tadalafil 5 mg for a period of 12 weeks; Group 3(G3) 124 men that received ESWT for 6 weeks plus Tadalafil with the same protocol of G1; Group 4(G4) 98 men with VED plus Tadalafil 5 mg for 3 months. There were assessed at baseline and follow-up: Erectile dysfunction (ED), presence and severity of painful erections, penile plaque size and penile curvature degree. The results were evaluated at baseline and 3,6,12 months.

RESULTS

Not statistically significant differences emerged between the two groups at baseline, except for higher presence of patients with ED in in G3(7.4%) vs other groups(p < 0.001). Three months after the treatment in G3 men had a significant reduction of penile curvature degrees after 1 year by treatments, whereas pain in an erection or during intercourse was resolved completely in 75% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights that multimodal therapy has beneficial long-term effects not only in the decrease of ED symptoms, but also in the relief of the penile curvature and the quality of life.

A review of Peyronie's disease insurance coverage

Background

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibroproliferative disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the penis resulting in pain, discomfort, and erectile dysfunction with management options including correctional surgery, penile external/internal devices, shock wave therapy (SWT), intralesional Verapamil (IV), and collagenase Clostridium histolyticum injections.

Aim

To investigate the insurance coverage of these treatment options.

Methods

The authors performed a cross-sectional analysis of the top US insurance policies for coverage of PD. Companies were chosen based on their market share and enrollment. Their policies were identified through a Web-based search and telephone interviews, and the companies' medical necessity criteria were defined. The online policies were then re-examined for interval change 3 years later.

Outcomes

There are significant discrepancies for in coverage for the different modalities of Peyronie's treatment.

Results

Of the 100 companies examined, only 54% of companies had a policy that directly addressed the treatment coverage for PD. The most covered treatment was CCH injections with 37 companies providing unanimous coverage (n = 37, 100%). Within this category, all companies required a palpable plaque as a requirement. Additionally, external/internal devices were unanimous covered by 18 companies (n = 18, 100%). Surgical treatment was covered by eight companies with six companies denying coverage (n = 8 vs. n = 6, 57.1% vs. 42.9%). IV was covered by two companies. The least covered treatment option was SWT which was universally denied by 19 companies (n = 19, 100%).

Clinical Implications

Insurance coverage of PD should be aligned with current medical literature to better increase access to care.

Strengths & Limitations

This study is limited by the updated policies of insurance companies and future applicability. Additionally, this study assumes that a written policy will provide coverage and may overestimate the actual extent of coverage. Finally, this study only addressed some of the common treatment options of PD and did not expand on all possible treatment options.

Conclusion

Differing rates for modalities of treatment may present a barrier for patients to receive individualized and adequate treatment for PD.

Conservative treatment of Peyronie's disease: a guide

PURPOSE

To review the literature on the topic, to suggest a common line of treatment applicable across a wide community of specialists, and to contribute in maintaining the high level of interest in this disease.

METHODS

A comprehensive and exhaustive review of the literature was performed, identifying hundreds of articles on the topic.

RESULTS

Peyronie's disease is a condition that has been recognized, studied, and treated for centuries; despite this, if one excludes surgery in cases in which the deformity is stable, no clear treatment (or line of treatment) is available for complete relief of signs and symptoms. Treatment options were divided into local, oral, and injection therapy, and a wide variety of drugs, remedies, and options were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy, vacuum therapy, penile traction therapy, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, hyaluronic acid, and collagenase of Clostridium histolyticum may be recommended only in specific contexts. Further studies on individual options or potential combinations are required.

Transdermal application of H100 gel to the penile shaft in patients with Peyronie's disease infiltrates the tunica albuginea

Treatment options for Peyronie's disease (PD) remain limited. Topical H100 gel, (Hybrid Medical, Edina, USA), which contains nicardipine, super oxide dismutase and emu oil showed safety and efficacy in a previous small double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. The present study evaluates if topically applied H100 gel applied to the penile shaft infiltrates the tunica albuginea. Nicardipine is a key active ingredient in H100 and serves as a surrogate marker. Three men already scheduled to undergo a planned surgical procedure for PD applied commercially available H100 gel twice daily to the penile shaft for up to 30 days prior to the procedure. Tunica albuginea samples were obtained at surgery. Nicardipine evaluation was performed using isotope dilution technique via liquid-chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LCMS). All three patients tolerated H100 gel application without side effects. All three tunica albuginea specimens showed detectable nicardipine in the tunical tissue. Transdermal application of commercially available H100 gel is able to penetrate the tunica albuginea tissue and is detectable in men with acute and chronic PD. This finding may support the encouraging results found in the prior H100 pilot study.

Intralesional injection of hyaluronic acid compared with verapamil in acute phase of Peyronie's disease: A prospective randomized clinical trial

Purpose

The aim of this work was to analyze and contrast the effectiveness and safety of intralesional HA in the acute stage of PD with that of verapamil injection.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 42 PD-affected, sexually active men between the ages of >18 and 70 participated. Two groups of patients were recruited; group A obtained weekly intralesional treatment with HA for 12 weeks, whereas group B obtained weekly intralesional therapy with verapamil for 12 weeks. Physical examinations and Duplex Doppler ultrasound were performed on all patients.

Results

The penile curvature was significantly decreased at 12 weeks after therapy in contrast to baseline in group A (34.1 ± 6.77° vs. 24.7 ± 9.72°, p = 0.005), and was significantly decreased at 12 weeks after therapy compared to baseline in group B (36.2 ± 7.43° vs. 30.8 ± 8.63 °, p = 0.047). The decrease in penile curvature at 12 weeks after therapy was noticeably better in group A in contrast to group B (24.7 ± 9.72° vs. 30.8 ± 8.63°, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

HA is emerging as a valid choice for the treatment of PD in terms of resolution of the acute phase of the disease, and it is plausible to posit that the use of HA may contribute to the stabilization of the disease and decrease the need for the subsequent choice of a possible surgical strategy, with the ability to reduce penile pain and have a stronger impact on penile curvature and patient satisfaction.

Peyronie's Disease: An Outcomes-Based Guide to Non-Surgical and Novel Treatment Modalities

The clinical landscape of Peyronie's disease is everchanging. There has been growing interest in non-invasive therapeutic options that could assist patients with achieving a meaningful reduction in penile curvature without surgical intervention. These therapies are wide-ranging in terms of their mechanisms of action, efficacies, and short- and long-term safety profiles. Recently, an abundance of outcomes literature on longstanding and novel non-surgical treatment modalities has been published. For sexual medicine providers hoping to offer patients the most up-to-date and evidence-based treatments for the management of Peyronie's disease, it can be challenging to gain a thorough understanding of this body of literature. In this clinical management review, the workup and current theories on the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease are reviewed, and the most recent outcomes data on the currently available non-surgical treatment modalities are presented. With an accurate understanding of the current landscape of Peyronie's disease treatment, sexual health providers will be able to better evaluate and engage in evidence-based shared decision-making with their patients.

The potential of platelet-rich plasma injections and stem cell therapy for penile rejuvenation

Penile concerns include erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie disease (PD). Restorative therapies including Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are proposed to treat these concerns. SCT encompasses the harvesting and injection of mesenchymal stem cells or stromal vascular fractions from various tissue sources. PRP is derived autologously from a patient's plasma and is then injected into the penile tissue. These therapies repair damaged penile tissue and promote both new cellular and vascular growth, as demonstrated in basic science studies. Human trials on SCT and PRP for both ED and PD and have yielded promising results with few side effects. While encouraging, small cohort size and lack of blinding or placebo control limit these studies' external validity. Recently, the first double-blinded randomized controlled trial on PRP for ED was published, providing significant evidence of efficacy. With the rapid commercial availability of SCT and PRP for ED and PD, it is imperative to perform more randomized and placebo-controlled trials with standardized procedures and preparations to evaluate efficacy and safety. This narrative review will summarize the available literature on these penile restorative therapies to date.

Pharmacotherapy in Peyronie's disease: a state-of-the-art review on established contemporary and emerging drugs

INTRODUCTION

Current clinical guidelines on Peyronie's disease (PD) advocate non-surgical treatment options as the first-line therapy despite inconsistent clinical outcomes when compared to definitive penile reconstructive surgery.

AREAS COVERED

This article examines the current understanding of established contemporary and emerging pharmacotherapies for PD. Emphasis has been placed on published clinical studies on drugs in the last 10 years.

EXPERT OPINION

Published studies have shown that combination therapy is likely more effective than monotherapy. Combined treatment modalities involving various oral and/or intralesional pharmacotherapies together with mechanical devices or clinical psychosexual therapy may provide additional or synergistic benefits for PD patients. A multidisciplinary approach coupled with more novel targets for pharmacological intervention could deliver a more effective treatment paradigm to prevent or at least delay the need for definitive penile reconstructive surgery. Drugs targeting the inhibition of TGF-β1 pathway and myofibroblast transformation are of great interest and studies into next-generation genetic sequencing and transcriptional biomarker regulatory pathways in PD will provide useful insights into the pathophysiology of PD, and assist the development of future regenerative technology including cellular-based therapies to target various anti-fibrotic molecular mechanisms and the potential to be integrated into existing treatment armamentarium for PD.

Peyronie Disease as a Marker of Inflammation-Is There Hope on the Horizon?

Although the description of Peyronie disease, a connective tissue disorder involving the growth of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis, is attributed to François de la Peyronie, surgeon to Louis XV of France, there are reports previous to that time. Over the intervening 450 years, a variety of empiric treatments, varying in barbarity, have been proposed. The frequency of this condition and the etiology of the fibrosis are unknown. Quality of life for affected men and their partners is adversely impacted. In this review, the authors summarize the history of the discovery of this condition, review contemporary management approaches, and address the pathophysiology leading to the underlying disordered fibrosis. The potential immunomodulatory role of testosterone as well as inflammatory conditions and environmental stimuli that may provoke fibrosis are also considered. Peyronie disease may be part of a spectrum of fibrotic conditions, including Dupuytren contracture. Treatment strategies to date have focused on reversing fibrosis; work is needed to prevent fibrosis and to accurately document disease prevalence.

Molecular Mechanisms and Current Pharmacotherapy of Peyronie's Disease: A Review

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a localized fibrotic lesion of the penis that has adverse effects on men’s health. In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms and pharmacotherapies of PD. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane Library during 2001–2020. Although no oral or topical medication demonstrated efficacy in monotherapy of PD, several intralesional medications have yielded promising results. Currently, the effective strategy in management of PD should be combined modality therapy, including but not limited to pharmacotherapy, mechanical therapy, and psychotherapy. Meanwhile, basic research is still necessary to facilitate the development of novel and more reliable treatments. In future, more attention should be given simultaneously to epigenetic changes, inflammatory cytokines, the abnormal wound-healing process, and profibrotic and anti-fibrotic factors to provide more options for this refractory disease.

Peyronie's disease: pharmacological treatments and limitations

Introduction: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a disorder of the tunica albuginea from disordered and excessive deposition of collagen resulting in a palpable scar, pain, erect penile deformity and erectile dysfunction that significantly impacts patients both physically and emotionally.Areas Covered: Several treatment options have been described for PD, including shockwave therapy, traction therapy, both oral and intralesional pharmacological options, and surgery. This review seeks to examine the data for different types of non-surgical treatments for PD. We review how various treatment modalities impact several relevant clinical endpoints for Peyronie's disease, including effects on pain, penile curvature, plaque formation, and erectile function. We performed a literature search using PubMed and SCOPUS while referencing AUA, EAU, and CUA guidelines for management of Peyronie's Disease for studies published 1980-2020.Expert opinion: Intralesional collagenase injections have the strongest evidence and are the only FDA approved intralesional treatment for PD. Penile traction therapy (PTT) is low risk and may be beneficial in patients willing to invest significant time using the devices. Furthermore, oral combination therapy with other modalities may provide some benefit. Further investigation is required to better understand pathophysiology of PD and clarify the therapeutic utility of existing treatments, potentially with a multimodal strategy.

Implications of Calcification in Peyronie's Disease, A Review of the Literature

A common characteristic of Peyronie's Disease (PD) is plaque calcification, which is associated with decreased response to treatments and higher rates of surgical intervention. Despite its prevalence in the PD population, the literature on plaque calcification is limited. While the diagnosis of PD is mostly clinical, imaging modalities such as ultrasound can be used to identify plaque calcification. The proper identification of plaque calcification is crucial for guiding management and setting therapeutic expectations for patients with PD. Herein we discuss what is known about PD plaque calcification, including epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management.

Conservative Therapy for Peyronie's Disease: a Contemporary Review of the Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To analyze the literature on current conservative treatment options for Peyronie's disease (PD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Conservative therapy with intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is safe and efficacious in either the acute or chronic phases of PD. Combination treatment with penile traction therapy (PTT) can produce even better results. While most PTT devices require extended periods of therapy up to 8 h per day, the RestoreX® device can be effective at 30-90 min per day. A variety of conservative therapies are available for treatment of PD. The available literature does not reveal any treatment benefit of oral therapies. Intralesional therapy is the mainstay conservative treatment of PD. Intralesional CCH therapy is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved intralesional therapy and represents the authors' preference for medical therapy. The most effective conservative management of PD likely requires a combination of therapies.

Medical, non-invasive, and minimally invasive treatment for Peyronie's disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) remains a dilemma as the true pathogenesis of PD remains an enigma. Consequently, new molecules and therapies continue to evolve. The safety and efficacy of conservative treatment for PD have not yet established.

OBJECTIVES

To provide the available information of the status of conservative therapy for PD.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for English-language journal articles between January 2000 and July 2019, using the terms "Conservative treatment for PD", "medical treatment for PD", "non-invasive therapies for PD" and "minimally invasive therapies for PD". This systematic review was conducted in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) system. We also manually reviewed references from selected articles. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool (RoB 2).

RESULTS

Conservative treatment is accepted as the initial treatment step in most of the cases. This kind of therapy includes various methods of treatment such as medical, non-invasive, and minimally invasive therapies. Ideal management of PD is not yet available. It is not possible to assess the value of treatment without well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, large-scale clinical studies.

CONCLUSION

Optimistically, in the near future, we may witness emergence of efficacious new agents and modalities to revolutionize medical, non-invasive, and minimally invasive treatment of this devastating condition.

Peyronie's disease: Contemporary evaluation and management

Peyronie's disease is a common yet poorly understood condition characterized by penile pain, curvature, sexual dysfunction and psychological bother. Peyronie's disease represents a penile wound healing disorder, and is thought to arise from exuberant scarring in response to penile trauma in genetically predisposed men. In the absence of active treatment, the majority of men experience stable or worsening symptoms, with few reporting spontaneous resolution in penile curvature or other deformity. In contrast, penile pain improves or resolves in the majority of men. Treatment options vary based on symptom severity and stability. Several oral therapies are commonly prescribed, although to date there are no strong data to support any oral agents as monotherapy for Peyronie's disease. Other options including penile traction therapy and intralesional injections result in modest improvements for many patients, particularly when used early after symptom onset. Penile straightening through approaches, such as penile plication and plaque incision or partial excision and grafting, represent the most rapid and reliable approach to correct penile curvature once the symptoms have stabilized. Side-effects vary based on the type of surgery carried out, and include penile shortening, sensation changes and erectile dysfunction in the minority of men. In patients with drug refractory erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease, placement of a penile prosthesis will address both issues, and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. The current review provides a practical approach to the modern evaluation and management of patients presenting with Peyronie's disease.

Minimally invasive therapies for Peyronie's disease: the current state of the art

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a relatively common condition that can result in significant penile deformity, sexual dysfunction, and psychological bother. Surgical straightening offers the highest probability of success during the stable phase of the disease. However, for men in the acute phase of PD or for those with less severe deformity who elect to avoid surgery, a variety of non-surgical treatment options are available. Oral therapies, including L-citrulline and pentoxifylline, are most useful as part of a combination regimen rather than as monotherapy. Intralesional therapy with IFN-α2b, verapamil, and collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) can cause significant reduction in penile curvature, yet these results may not be clinically significant for men with more severe curvature. Further investigation into the timing of administration and optimal patient characteristics is required. Penile traction therapy offers a clinically significant improvement in penile length and curvature. However, this has traditionally required hours of daily therapy. Overall, a combination of oral, topical, injection and traction therapies may provide the most significant benefit among the non-surgical modalities for PD.

Laser Therapy for Peyronie's Disease: A Randomized Control Double-Blind Pilot Study

Introduction: The management of Peyronie's disease (PD) has remained a therapeutic dilemma for physicians and there is no gold standard treatment. In this paper, we decided to investigate the beneficial effect of the intralesional administration of verapamil compared with the intralesional administration of verapamil plus a low-intensity laser (LIL). Methods: Research was activated from May 2016 to May 2018 and a total of 38 men aged 18 years and older completed the investigation. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was composed of 22 patients that were treated only by verapamil (5 mg) plus a sham laser weekly for 6 weeks, and group 2 consisted of 22 patients that received a laser, using the BTL-6000 HIGH-INTENSITY LASER 12 W machine and the same protocol of intralesional verapamil injection. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain during an erection, penile ultrasonography was used to measure plaque size, the penile curvature angle degree was measured using the photographs taken during an erection, and the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used to assess erectile function. The follow-up treatment lasted for nine months, with visits performed in the 3rd and 9th months. Results: All study parameters decreased significantly after treatment in both arms, but the reduction in pain and penile curvature improvements in combination therapy revealed more significant changes in 3 months (p = .035, p=.032). Nevertheless, these improvements were not seen in the follow-up session after 9 months. Conclusion: A laser appears to be safe treatment modality in carefully-selected patients with PD. It has moderate efficacy in the short term.

Comparison of Intralesional Hyaluronic Acid vs. Verapamil for the Treatment of Acute Phase Peyronie's Disease: A Prospective, Open-Label Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Purpose

To compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional hyaluronic acid (HA) as compared with verapamil injection in patients with Peyronie's disease (PD).

Materials and Methods

Between January 2015 and December 2018, men in PD acute phase were prospectively recruited. This open-label, prospective study included 2 different protocols. Group A: 8-week cycle of weekly intraplaque injections with HA; Group B: 8-week cycle of weekly intraplaque injections with verapamil. Penile curvature, plaque size, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months.

Results

Two-hundred forty-four patients were enrolled. Of these, 125 received intralesional HA (Group A), 119 received intralesional verapamil (Group B). At enrollment, median age was 56.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]=47.0–63.0 years), median curvature 35.0° (IQR=25.0°–45.0°), median IIEF-15 score 19.0 (IQR=16.0–23.0), median VAS 4.0 (IQR=4.0–5.0). Median difference for IIEF-15 was 1.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.12–1.94) in Group A and 0.0 (95% CI=−0.04–0.14) in Group B (p<0.05) and median difference for VAS score was −4.0 (95% CI=−4.11–−3.65) in Group A and −1.0 (95% CI=−0.50–2.01) in Group B (p<0.05). Plaque size decreased by −1.50 mm (IQR=1.60–2.10 mm) in Group A and −1.20 in Group B (p=0.10), while penile curvature decreased by −9.50° (IQR=4.50°–13.00°) in group A and −4.50 (IQR=2.50–7.50) in Group B (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Intralesional HA injections could represent a reliable treatment option for the conservative management of patients with acute phase of PD.

Verapamil and collagenase differentially affect collagen metabolism in experimental model of Peyronie's disease

OBJECTIVES

Peyronie's disease (PD) is accompanied by remodelling of connective tissue into fibrotic plaque. Treatment of the inflammatory and fibrotic phases of the disease is not established. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of verapamil (VER) and bacterial collagenase (COLL) on collagen metabolism and cell migration in fibroblasts with experimental wound healing and inflammation as an in vitro model of PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro model of PD was designed using experimental model of inflammation induced by Interleukin-1 (IL-1) in cultured fibroblasts and mechanical damage of the cells. Cell viability, cell proliferation, collagen biosynthesis, prolidase activity and cell migration were studied in both models of the cells treated with VER and COLL.

RESULTS

VER decreased cell viability, DNA and collagen biosynthesis and increased prolidase activity in control fibroblast, while in "wounded" fibroblasts it significantly decreased all the processes. COLL did not affect cell viability and DNA biosynthesis, while inhibited collagen biosynthesis and prolidase activity in both control and "wounded" fibroblasts. In IL-1-treated fibroblasts VER inhibited all studied processes except prolidase activity, while COLL inhibited only collagen biosynthesis and prolidase activity. COLL accelerated cell migration, while VER attenuated the process in fibroblast model of wound healing, compared to control cells.

CONCLUSION

VER and COLL attenuate collagen biosynthesis in both fibroblast models. The VER-dependent inhibition of collagen biosynthesis was accompanied by inhibition of DNA biosynthesis at high prolidase activity, while COLL affected this process through inhibition of prolidase activity at high rate of DNA biosynthesis. It shows that anti-fibrotic activity of VER/COLL and anti-inflammatory activity of VER may represent approach to establish standard treatment of PD.

A snapshot of intralesional verapamil injection in the treatment of Peyronie's disease today

Studies assessing the efficacy of intralesional verapamil injection in the treatment of Peyronie's disease have yielded mixed results. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematise the existing literature on the efficacy of intralesional verapamil injection when used in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. The treatment outcomes of seven different study groups identified by computerised literature search were compared with natural history outcomes and data from control groups of three studies involving placebo saline injection. An exploratory meta-analysis was performed on the data due to differing patient populations, treatment protocols, and inconsistent selection and reporting of outcomes. Intralesional verapamil injection significantly improved sexual function (p < .0005) and penile curvature (p < .005) in individuals with Peyronie's disease. Decreases in pain may be significant after therapy but are questionable. The effect of verapamil on plaque size remains less impressive (p > .05). Intralesional verapamil injection has promise to positively impact a number of clinical outcomes of Peyronie's disease; however, a large, multicentre, randomised, controlled study with reliable protocols is needed to confirm the efficacy of treatment.

Ten-year experience with multimodal treatment for acute phase Peyronie's disease: A real life clinical report

OBJECTIVES

To present our experience with multimodal therapy for Peyronie's disease.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected since 2008 to 2017. The following features were evaluated at baseline and after treatment: age, duration of disease, erectile function, erected penile curvature, and stretched penile length. All patients were offered the same protocol including: 12 intralesional verapamil injections, oral therapy (OT) ?L-arginine 2g once and pentoxifylline 400mg 3 times a day for 6 months?, and penile traction therapy. The adherence to each of the 3 components of multimodal treatment was evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-seven individuals were considered. Depending on the grade of adherence our survey was divided into 3 groups. Group 1: patients who only completed OT; group 2: men who accomplished OT and intralesional verapamil injections; group 3: patients who completed the entire protocol. Seventy-six, 45 and 56 men were assigned to group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean age at the diagnosis was 59±8.4, 59.1±5.9 and 54.2±4.8 years, while the mean duration of the disease was 6.3±3.4, 4.8±2.9 and 3.9±3.1 months in group 1, 2 and 3. The erected penile curvature before and after treatment was 24.2±9 and 23.7±8.9° in group 1 (P<.36); 25.4±16.8 and 24.1±13.6° in group 2 (P<.34), and 34.3±17.9 and 26.1±17.2° in group 3 (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

OT alone was successful to block the progression of the disease. The add of intralesional verapamil injections to OT brought only mild improvements. The complete protocol significantly reduced erected penile curvature and improved erectile function.

Non-invasive treatment in the management of Peyronie's disease

Peyronies disease (PD) is estimated to affect approximately 3-9% of men worldwide and maybe associated with pain, erectile dysfunction and penile deformity including shortening. The condition has significant debilitating effects on quality of life, self-esteem and psychological wellbeing in addition to sexual function. Surgical results add further to this by patients having dissatisfaction with various aspects of outcomes. Non-surgical management may allow patients to avoid the morbidities associated with surgery and still achieve improved functional and aesthetic outcomes. Several non-surgical options are currently being employed in the treatment of PD that may reduce or stabilize both objective measures (e.g. penile length and deformity) and subjective measures (including sexual function, pain and partner satisfaction). Nonsurgical management can allow patients to avoid the morbidities associated with surgery and still achieve improved functional and aesthetic outcomes. In this article we explore the current non-surgical management options for PD including oral, mechanical therapies, intralesional and topical treatments. We also briefly discuss future treatment options in the form of stem cell therapy.

Devices for penile traction: the long and winding road to treating Peyronie's disease

INTRODUCTION

Penile traction therapy (PTT) is increasingly being recognized as a viable nonsurgical approach to Peyronie's disease (PD). The goal of this article is to review the current literature on PTT with attention to traction protocols, devices, and outcomes.

AREAS COVERED

Literature on the pathophysiology of PD, PTT as primary and adjunctive treatment for PD, perioperative use of PTT, and vacuum erection devices are all reviewed. Pertinent literature was obtained from the PubMed database. The key words 'penile traction,' 'mechanotransduction,' and 'Peyronie's disease' were searched and results were narrowed down based on relevance to the review.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

PTT appears beneficial but the true magnitude of effect is difficult to discern. Most studies are not randomized, have small sample sizes, lack control arms, or have varying traction protocols. Patient compliance is critical and new devices and traction protocols are needed to maximize the benefit of PTT.

Prospective study to evaluate the clinical outcome of intralesional interferon-α2b in the management of Peyronie's disease

Context:

Interferon (IFN)-α2b in Peyronie's disease (PD).

Aims:

This study aims to evaluate clinical efficacy of the IFN-α2b in both subjective and objective manner for the treatment of PD and compared with previously used intralesional verapamil in terms of cost-benefit analysis.

Settings and Design:

Prospective study.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective study conducted from January 2013 to July 2016 in the Department of Urology, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India. We included patients with identifiable Peyronie's plaque with or without pain, curvature ranging between 30 and 90 degrees. We excluded patients with a calcified plaque and the ventral location of the plaque, any infective foci over the penis, erectile dysfunction due to other etiologies and patients who had received previous intralesional therapy. Patients were evaluated by clinical history, physical examination including plaque location, size, consistency, and penile curvature. Patients received intralesional IFN-α2b in a dose of 3 × 10⁶ IU. Patients completed the visual analogue pain (VAS) score for pain, and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire at first visit as well as at follow-up of 1 month and 3 months.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Comparisons were performed using the paired Student's t-test and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Patient's objective and subjective clinical characteristics were described as a means (standard deviation).

Results:

We included 86 patients in this study. Patients had a mean age of 48.6 years, mean plaque volume 256 mm³, and disease duration of 15.2 years. After 1 month of treatment, there was a significant change in plaque volume 256–60.8 mm³; P < 0.01) and penile curvature 34.8–24.6°; P < 0.01). The patients reported significant improvement in pain score VAS and IIEF-5.

Conclusions:

IFN-α2b, as minimal invasive (intralesional) options for the treatment of PD, demonstrated significant improvement in plaque volume, penile curvature with minimal complications. Patients subjectively reported significant improvement in pain on erection and sexual activities. IFN-α2b and verapamil had an almost similar clinical outcome, but verapamil at much lower cost.

A prospective, randomized, single - blind study comparing intraplaque injection of thiocolchicine and verapamil in Peyronie's Disease: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the response to tiocolchicine and verapamil injection in the plaque of patients with Peyronie's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, single-blind, randomized study, selecting patients who have presented Peyronie's disease for less than 18 months. Thiocolchicine 4mg or verapamil 5mg were given in 7 injections (once a week). Patients who had received any treatment for Peyronie's disease in the past three months were excluded. The parameters used were the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, analysis of the curvature on pharmaco-induced erections and size of the plaque by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were randomized, 13 received thiocolchicine and 12 were treated with verapamil. Both groups were statistically similar. The mean curvature was 46.7º and 36.2º before and after thiocolchicine, respectively (p=0.019) and 50.4º and 42.08º before and after verapamil, respectively (p=0.012). The curvature improved in 69% of patients treated with thiocolchicine and in 66% of those who received verapamil. Regarding sexual function, there was an increase in the IIEF-5 from 16.69 to 20.85 (p=0.23) in the thiocolchicine group. In the verapamil group the IIEF-5 score dropped from 17.50 to 16.25 (p=0.58). In the thiocolchicine group, the plaque was reduced in 61% of patients. In the verapamil group, 8% presented decreased plaque size. No adverse event was associated to thiocolchicine.

CONCLUSION

The use of thiocolchicine in Peyronie's disease demonstrated improvement on penile curvature and reduction in plaque size. Thiocolchicine presented similar results to verapamil in curvature assessment. No significant side effects were observed with the use of tiocolchicine.

Changes in the Effects of Peyronie's Disease After Treatment With Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum: Male Patients and Their Female Partners

Introduction

Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) intralesional injection was efficacious for the management of Peyronie's disease (PD) in the double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled Investigation for Maximal Peyronie's Reduction Efficacy and Safety Studies I and II (IMPRESS I and II). Little is known about the consequences of PD or treatment on the sexual partners of affected men.

Aim

To assess the safety and efficacy of CCH treatment in men who received placebo in the IMPRESS I or II study and to evaluate the men's PD symptoms and partner bother as reported by female sexual partners.

Methods

In this phase 3, open-label study (NCT01685437), men (n = 189) received up to eight injections of CCH (0.58 mg/injection). Female sexual partners who provided informed consent at screening (n = 30) participated in the study.

Main Outcome Measures

Co-primary end points were change or percentage of change in penile curvature deformity and change in PD symptom bother domain score of the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) from baseline to week 36. Participating women completed the PDQ for female sexual partners (PDQ-FSP) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

Statistically significant mean improvements were observed in penile curvature deformity (36.3% decrease; 95% CI = −41.6 to −30.9) and PDQ symptom bother score (2.4-point decrease; 95% CI = −3.0 to −1.8) from baseline to week 36. Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate. After CCH treatment of their male partners, female sexual partners reported improvement (using the PDQ-FSP) in their male partner's PD symptoms and female bother regarding their partner's PD. The percentage of female sexual partners with sexual dysfunction (FSFI total score ≤ 26.55) also decreased after male partner treatment, from 75.0% at baseline to 33.3%.

Conclusions

These results support the safety and efficacy of CCH in the management of appropriate patients with PD and the potential benefits for patients' partners. Goldstein I, Knoll LD, Lipshultz LI, et al. Changes in the Effects of Peyronie's Disease After Treatment With Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum: Male Partners and Their Female Partners. Sex Med 2017;5:e124–e130.

Role of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in management of Peyronie's disease: A preliminary report

INTRODUCTION

Peyronie's Disease (PD) is a disease causing psycho social trauma to the patient. Multiple treatment options are available with variable results. Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a new insight into the non invasive modality of management. It focuses on the mechanism of inducing angiogenesis in the penile cavernous tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aim of the study is to determine the role of ESWT in the management of PD. The objectives include demonstrating the improvement in mean International Index of Erectile Function Score (IIEFS), improvement in pain score by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), change in cavernosal artery flow on colour penile Doppler, reduction in plaque size, and improvement in penile curvature degree after the therapy. 30 patients, between 25-65 years, who were non responders to conservative line of management, were treated with ESWT. The results were evaluated at baseline and 18-24 weeks after the therapy.

RESULTS

ESWT significantly improves the cavernosal artery velocity, thereby supporting the theory of angiogenesis. ESWT improves all the domains of IIEF including Erectile Function, Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, Orgasm and Overall Satisfaction. There is a significant improvement in the pain and penile curvature, and reduction in the plaque size. No adverse effects have been recorded.

CONCLUSION

ESWT offers a safe, minimally invasive, OPD based option to the management of the patients of PD in the stable phase of the disease. Patients who do not respond to the conservative line of management can be really benefited by ESWT.

Injectable therapy for Peyronie's disease

Peyronie’s disease is a disfiguring and psychologically devastating disease, which continues to pose a significant clinical conundrum to the attending doctor. Many forms of therapy have been trialled but results have been inconsistent at best. Non-surgical therapy revolves around oral, intralesional and shockwave therapies. The focus of this paper is on intralesional agents, their evolution and efficacy of treatments. The mere fact that so many agents have been tried is a testament to the incomplete knowledge that we have with regards to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. Currently, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved agent that has shown fairly consistent results is Clostridium histiolyticum collagenase (Xiaflex^TM), whereas calcium channel blockers and interferons (IFN) remain as off-label options.

Intralesional Injection of Hyaluronic Acid in Patients Affected With Peyronie's Disease: Preliminary Results From a Prospective, Multicenter, Pilot Study

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid has been shown to be efficacious in decreasing scar formation, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Aim

To assess the efficacy of intralesional injection of hyaluronic acid in patients affected by Peyronie's disease.

Methods

In this prospective, single-arm, self-controlled, interventional, multicenter pilot study, 65 patients underwent a 10-week cycle of weekly intraplaque injections with hyaluronic acid (0.8% highly purified sodium salt hyaluronic acid 16 mg/2 mL; Sinovial, IBSA, Lodi, Italy). Patients were re-evaluated 2 months after the end of therapy.

Main Outcome Measures

Plaque size (millimeters), penile curvature (degrees), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for sexual satisfaction, and Patient's Global Impressions of Improvement (PGI-I) score.

Results

Median age was 57 years (range = 23–70). At baseline, mean plaque size was 10 mm (range = 3–30 mm), mean penile curvature was 30° (range = 0°–50°), and mean IIEF-5 score was 20 (range = 0–25), with slight to moderate erectile dysfunction (IIEF score < 21) in 36 of 65 patients (55%). A median VAS score of 6 (range = 2–10) was found. Mean follow-up was 12 months (range = 6–24 months). Statistically significant post-treatment improvements were detected for plaque size (before treatment = 10 mm [3–30 mm], after treatment = 8 mm [1–30 mm], P < .0001), penile curvature (before treatment = 30° [0°–50°], after treatment = 20° [0°–40°], P < .0001), IIEF-5 score (before treatment = 20 [11–25], after treatment = 21 [15–25], P < .0001), and VAS score (before treatment = 6 [2–10], after treatment 8 [2–10], P < .0001). After treatment, the rate of patients with an IIEF score lower than 21 decreased from 55% (36 patients) to 40% (25 patients). Overall improvement on the PGI-I questionnaire was 69%.

Conclusion

Intralesional treatment with hyaluronic acid can improve plaque size, penile curvature, and overall sexual satisfaction and seems preferably indicated in the early (active) phase of the disease. Furthermore, it is easy to perform and well tolerated.

Peyronie's disease: What's around the bend?

INTRODUCTION

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrotic diathesis of the tunica albuginea that results in penile plaque formation and penile deformity, negatively affecting sexual and psychosocial function of both patients and their partners. In this review, we discuss the PD literature and PD treatment options, with special emphasis on potential future therapies.

METHODS

The PD literature was reviewed, and articles of interest were identified using keyword search in PubMed. Articles evaluating investigational and novel PD treatments were emphasized.

RESULTS

Existing PD treatment modalities are diverse and include oral, topical, intralesional, mechanical, and surgical therapies. Surgical treatment has high success rates and is indicated in men with significant, stable deformity. The United States Food and Drug Administration-approved intralesional collagenase Clostridium histolyticum injection therapy is a minimally invasive option with demonstrated efficacy in PD. Other nonsurgical therapies have been reported, including Botox and stem cell therapy, but these currently have little or equivocal evidence to support their efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is essential to develop novel, safe, and effective minimally invasive PD treatment options. This work is ongoing, with the promise of specific, targeted, and highly effective therapies on the horizon.

The History of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum

INTRODUCTION

After its U.S. FDA approval in 2013, Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCh) has seen increasing use as a nonoperative treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD). We review the history of CCh and trials that led to its adoption.

AIM

To provide a historical and contemporary context for the evolution of Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum as a treatment modality for Peyronie's disease.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was performed pertaining to CCh and its biochemical and clinical significance.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome studied was the efficacy and safety profile of CCh in PD. CCh use in other diseases processes and its associated outcomes are also described.

RESULTS

CCh injection yields objective improvement in penile curvature across multiple trials in PD patients. Recently, level 1 strength of evidence has emerged supporting its widespread use. As such, CCh stands as the only FDA-approved injectable therapy for PD. Adverse events were namely limited to local reactions. Serious systemic complications and need for intervention were rare.

CONCLUSIONS

CCh is a safe and effective treatment for PD patients with deformities and plaque configuration amenable to injectable therapy. Multiple trials have demonstrated improvements in objective and subjective metrics such as penile curvature and bother scores. However, multiyear follow-up is needed to assess durability and its sustained clinical significance. Currently, refinement in dosing and technique has established a niche for CCh in PD patients who are affected by their symptoms but are not yet committed to surgical intervention. Yang KK and Bennett N. The history of collagenase clostridium histolyticum.

Tadalafil once daily and intralesional verapamil injection: A new therapeutic direction in Peyronie's disease

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of intralesional verapamil injection (IVI) therapy with and tadalafil in men affected by Peyronie's disease (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 59 patients diagnosed with PD, were divided into three groups. Group A (GA) counted 23 patients treated with IVI; Group B (GB) treated 19 patients with tadalafil 5 mg once a day, and Group C (GC) treated 17 patients with IVI and tadalafil for 3 months. There were assessed at baseline and follow-up: Erectile function, presence and severity of painful erections, penile plaque size and penile curvature degree.

RESULTS

After 3 months pain resolved completely in 57% cases of GA, 61% of GB and 76% of GC; the final mean curvature degree further decreased in all groups without statistically significant differences; mean plaque size remained stable in GA: 1.57 versus 1.59 at baseline (P = 0.364) and GB: 1.51 versus 1.52 at baseline (P = 0,265), while a further decrease was evident in GC: 1.46 versus 1.58 at baseline (P = 0.03). Mean International Index of Erectile Function-5 score further improved significantly in the group treated with verapamil plus tadalafil: 23.1 versus 14.4 of GA and 18.2 of GB (P ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of IVI and tadalafil showed better pain control while reducing penile curvature and erectile function, improving the quality of life.

Therapeutic advances in the treatment of Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is an under-diagnosed condition with prevalence in the male population as high as 9%. It is a localized connective tissue disorder of the penis characterized by scarring of the tunica albuginea. Its pathophysiology, however, remains incompletely elucidated. For the management of the acute phase of PD, there are currently numerous available oral drugs, but the scientific evidence for their use is weak. In terms of intralesional injections, collagenase clostridium histolyticum is currently the only Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the management of patients with PD and a palpable plaque with dorsal or dorsolateral curvature >30°. Other available intralesional injectable drugs include verapamil and interferon-alpha-2B, however, their use is considered off-label. Iontophoresis, shockwave therapy, and radiation therapy have also been described with unconvincing results, and as such, their use is currently not recommended. Traction therapy, as part of a multimodal approach, is an underused additional tool for the prevention of PD-associated loss of penile length, but its efficacy is dependent on patient compliance. Surgical therapy remains the gold standard for patients in the chronic phase of the disease. In patients with adequate erectile function, tunical plication and/or incision/partial excision and grafting can be offered, depending on degree of curvature and/or presence of destabilizing deformity. In patients with erectile dysfunction non-responsive to oral therapy, insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis with or without straightening procedures should be offered.

Pharmacologic therapy for Peyronie's disease: what should we prescribe?

INTRODUCTION

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a wound healing disorder of the penis with a myriad of proposed treatment options reported in the literature. Evaluating the available data and therapeutic management of PD can be challenging and confusing, even for the most experienced treating physician. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacologic treatment options for PD, focusing on the best available evidence.

AREAS COVERED

A comprehensive literature search for published articles evaluating oral, topical, and injectable pharmacologic agents for PD was completed. Prospective, controlled trials were given precedence for inclusion.

EXPERT OPINION

Although a multitude of oral agents have been proposed and evaluated in PD patients, results vary widely and a reproducible objective benefit has not yet been strongly established for any single oral agent. Well-designed, large-scale, randomized controlled trials evaluating oral agents in PD patients are lacking. Consistent objective benefit from injectable agents has been supported for years by various non-controlled trials. Recently, injectable collagenase Clostridium histolyticum became the first pharmacologic agent to obtain FDA approval for use in PD patients, supported by data from a large-scale, Phase III randomized controlled trial. Further elucidation of the genetic and mechanistic pathways involved in the development and progression of PD will help define future therapeutic targets.

All about Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is an acquired connective tissue disorder of the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum, characterized by excessive fibrosis and plaque formation. PD can result in significant physical and psychological morbidity; as it may prevent intercourse and cause adverse impacts on partner relationships. The exact etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear, and many misconceptions about the disease associations, course and treatment exist.

The disease has two distinct stages. The acute stage is characterized by pain, and disease may progress during this stage. Non-surgical managements at this stage aim to alleviate pain and stabilize the disease. Results for non-surgical treatment are often conflicting. The chronic stage occurs 6–12 months later, where pain disappears and the deformity stabilizes. Surgical treatment is reserved for significant deformity or with inability to penetrative intercourse. The choice of the surgical technique depends on the length of the penis, degree of deformity, erectile function, patients' expectations and surgeon's preference.

PEYRONIE'S DISEASE: A REVIEW OF ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT

Peyronie's Disease (PD) is a superficial fibrosing disorder of the penis resulting in plaque formation and penile deformity. Once considered rare, PD has more recently been found in up to 13% of men, and can negatively affect sexual and psychosocial function of both patients and their partners. While the etiology of PD is unclear, it is thought to result from an inciting traumatic event followed by aberrant fibrosis or dysregulated wound healing. The evaluation of men presenting with PD includes a detailed history and physical exam, focusing on the penis in both the flaccid and erect states. PD is often associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as several other comorbidities. Laboratory testing is not needed to diagnose PD, although given the associations between PD and systemic diseases including hypogonadism, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, screening and work-up for these conditions in men with PD may be warranted. Treatment modalities for PD are diverse and include oral, topical, intralesional, mechanical, and surgical therapies. Oral, topical, and mechanical therapies generally have little evidence supporting their efficacy. Several intralesional therapies, including interferon α2b and collagenase Clostridium hystiolyticum have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of PD. Surgical treatment, indicated in men with significant, stable deformity, includes plication of the tunica albuginea, plaque incision/excision and grafting, and placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) with or without additional maneuvers to achieve desired results, and has high success rates.