Development of cellular therapy for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is highly prevalent and associated with a reduced quality of life. An intact rhabdosphincter at the mid-urethra is mandatory to maintain urinary continence. Adult stem cell injection therapy for the regenerative repair of an impaired sphincter is currently at the forefront of incontinence research. The implanted cells will fuse with muscle and release trophic factors promoting nerve and muscle integration. Hereby, we review the use of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for SUI and the experience with the development of muscle-derived stem cells.