New hope for patients with Peyronie's disease

Pharmaceutical companies have started developing a drug that would facilitate treatment for this unpleasant disease which affects up to 3% of men.

Scientists are on a good way to discover a drug for Peyronie’s disease. (jlp)

 

 

The first tests of the drug show great potential, since no drug for Peyronie’s disease exists. In most cases, the problem has been resolved by surgery, which may cause erectile dysfunction in the worst case scenario.

 

What is Peyronie’s disease?

If you want to understand the functioning of the drug, you first have to know the effect of the disease. Peyronie’s disease causes abnormal angulation of the erect penis. Plaques or hard lumps containing collage develop on the upper or lower side of the penis in the layers containing erectile bodies. They reduce flexibility and hinder blood flow. When in the erect state,  the penis bends. Sometimes the bending is so strong that it causes a severe pain. A similar condition, called Dupuytren’s contracture, affects the hands and feet and thus hinders the functions of fingers, toes, arms and legs. Xiaflex is a drug consisting of three enzymes that successfully decompose collagen. The drug is already in the second phase of testing for treatment for Peyronie’s disease and similar conditions.

 

Dupuytren’s contracture (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5)

 

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