Use of human stem cells in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

• Grant number: 14/23260-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo de Aquino Castro
• Grantee: Rodrigo de Aquino Castro
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Maria Augusta Tezelli Bortolini

Abstract

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine due to physical exertion such as jumping, running and coughing. SUI affects 15-35 % of women, impacting their social, psychological and sexual life.Vaginal delivery and tissue aging are the main risk factors for the development of SUI by affecting nerves, muscles, vessels and connective tissue of the pelvic floor structures responsible for maintaining urinary continence. There is evidence that the damage mainly in striated and smooth muscles of the urethra are key components in the pathogenesis of SUI. In this scenario, cell therapy with adult stem cells has been considered as a potential alternative for the treatment of SUI based on the ability to restore the injured urethral sphincter.This study aims to treat patients with SUI with periurethral injection of autologous stem cells derived from striated muscle. The cure and improvement of incontinence will be evaluated by clinical examination, urodynamics and pad tests, as well as the implementation of specific quality of life questionnaire. Baseline data will be compared with those obtained after therapy in one year of follow-up.We hope to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and possible adverse effects of the therapy in the treatment of women with SUI. (AU)