Emerging drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Erectile dysfunction adversely affects the lives of millions of men, and is the most commonly treated sexual disorder today. The erectile process has been extensively investigated, with major advances made in elucidating many of the complex molecular pathways involved. These advances have allowed researchers to design and study drug formulations that target various aspects of this complex process. The initial culmination of this research was the introduction of phosphodiesterase 5-inhibitors. While effective in many patients, they are not satisfactory for all afflicted men. As a result, researchers are developing novel drugs that target different molecular pathways.


METHODS
The paper will review these pathways, and the potential agents that target them. More specifically, first dopaminergic and melanocortin receptor agonists that act centrally will be covered. Then, the paper will examine the "second-generation" phosphodiesterase 5-inhibitors, soluble guanylate cyclases, rho-kinase inhibitors, and maxi-k channel activators that act peripherally.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of these novel drugs have yet to reach Phase III studies. However, it is likely that in years to come, patients will be selectively treated with these novel agents as a monotherapy or in combination with others acting in a synergistic manner.
Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, LA , USA.
Taylor C
TC
Peak
Faysal A
FA
Yafi
Premsant
P
Sangkum
Wayne J G
WJ
Hellstrom
D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
Maxi-K channel activators; Rho-kinase inhibitors; SLx-2101; clavulanic acid; dopaminergic agonists; erectile dysfunction; intracavernosal injection therapy; l-arginine; lodenafil carbonate; melanocortin receptor agonists; mirodenafil; phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors; sildenafil orodispersable tablet; soluble guanylate cyclase; udenafil; yohimbine