Where Peyronie's disease treatment is heading
Peyronie's disease · Updated Nov 12, 2026
Peyronie's disease is scar tissue in the penis that causes a curve, pain or shortening. Options include traction devices, injections and surgery. Research is small and often uncontrolled; the main questions are which non-surgical treatments really work.
- 12studies open or running
- 131papers published this year
- 2NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Placebo alone improves curves a littleHappened 5.1 degrees with placebo
Men given placebo injections improved about 5 degrees; new treatments must beat that.
5.1: degrees of curve improvement with placebo injections alone.
Graft surgery works for severe curvesHappened 98.6% success with graft surgery
Plaque incision with a cheek-tissue graft straightened most curves, rarely harming erections.
98.6%: success rate of plaque incision with cheek graft.
Shockwaves help pain, not functionHappened
Low-intensity shockwave therapy eased pain and plaque size without improving sex life.
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6 months
by May 2027
More data on injected mixturesLong shot 5.1 degrees with placebo
Small 2026 trials of hyaluronic acid and enzyme mixtures report early results; few have placebo groups.
5.1: degrees of curve improvement with placebo injections alone.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Genes behind Peyronie's and Dupuytren'sPossible
An NIH-funded University of Utah study of shared genetic risk ends in December 2027.
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3 years
by late 2029
A larger PRP trialLong shot
Early crossover results justify a bigger placebo-controlled trial of platelet-rich plasma.
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5 years
by late 2031
A drug that prevents the scarLong shot
Genetic links with Dupuytren's disease could point to drugs used for that hand condition.
The research paths
Injections and devices
5.1 degrees with placeboDetailsHide
Many injections and devices are offered; few have been tested against placebo.
WatchTrials with placebo groups.
Surgery
98.6% graft surgery successDetailsHide
Surgical results are good at experienced centers. Research compares graft materials.
WatchRandomized graft comparisons.
Borrowed from other conditions
From Dupuytren's contracture
Collagenase
Approved
An enzyme that breaks down scar tissue, approved first for Dupuytren's in the hand.
From Kidney stones and tendons
Shockwave therapy
In use
Sound-wave treatment adapted at low intensity.
See every recruiting Peyronie's trial →
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Causes Shared genes behind Peyronie's and Dupuytren's diseaseUniversity of Utah · NIH Funded through Dec 2027 News likely 2027–2028
What just happened
Placebo injections improve curves by about 5 degrees
A benchmark for new treatments.
Cheek-graft surgery: 98.6% success
Pooled reports.
Standard treatment today
- Early, painful phasePain relief and traction devices; most curves stabilize within 12 to 18 months.
- Stable curveCollagenase injections with modeling, traction, or verapamil injections.
- Severe or with erection problemsSurgery: plication, plaque incision with graft, or a penile implant.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- There are very few active trials, and most evidence comes from small studies without placebo groups.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See Peyronie's trials recruiting now →