Neuromodulatory drugs for the radical prostatectomy patient: Current and future applications

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in US men, with an estimated 232,000 new cases diagnosed in 2005. Radical prostatectomy (RP) has proved to be a safe and effective therapy for localized prostate cancer. However, RP can be associated with some risk of morbidity, which includes a potential compromise in erectile function. Medical therapies for erectile dysfunction after RP include vasoactive agents and neuromodulatory agents. This review evaluates the potential role of neuromodulatory agents in the post-RP patient. The potential of developing an agent that has a high safety profile and long duration of effectiveness makes these agents attractive alternatives for the future.