Adult Stem Cell Study for Stress Urinary Incontinence. Beaumont Hospital urologists are first in the United States to research stress urinary incontinence treatment using a person’s own stem cells. The stem cells are used to strengthen weak muscles that control urination. “If successful, (autologous) muscle-derived stem cell therapy could offer new hope to people and offer them a life free of urinary leakage,” says Dr. Peters, who is leading the research at Beaumont. Stress urinary incontinence – the cause of wetness with coughing or physical activity – affects about 13 million Americans, most of them women, but also men who have had a prostatectomy (surgery for prostate cancer). Current treatments, including medicine, exercises and surgery, are not always effective and may have undesirable side effects. The stem cells from 48 female research participants age 18 or older will be collected at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, and duplicated. The cells will then be injected into the muscles that control urination to strengthen them and prevent leakage.

Participation will last 12-14 months, and will include physical exams, procedures to assess the bladder, completing voiding diaries and questionnaires and a variety of diagnostic tests. A small sample of the participant’s thigh muscle will be collected, which is the source of the stem cells. Pregnant or nursing women may not participate.