Patients’ own stem cells could be used as treatment for their heart disease
November 18th, 2010 - 2:41 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Nov 18 (ANI): Scientists are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease by using patients’ own stem cells to regenerate heart and vascular tissue.
Chief investigator Douglas Losordo, director of the Program in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, will present the findings of this study at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, on Wednesday, November 17.
“Traditionally, cardiovascular medicine has focused on repairing damaged tissues with medication or surgery,” said Losordo.
“For some patients, their cardiovascular disease is advanced to the point that standard treatment options are not effective. Regenerative cardiovascular medicine strives to redevelop cardiac and vascular tissue and stimulate new blood supply to areas like the heart and legs by using stem cells already present in the patient’s body,” Losordo added.
Losordo’s limb preservation study examined the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in limb preservation for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). CLI develops in patients with severe obstruction of the arteries, which limits blood flow to the extremities. CLI results in more than 100,000 amputations annually in the United States.
The trial tested the ability of CD34 cells to stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic limbs, which can improve perfusion and salvage function.
The phase II, double-blind placebo controlled trial had a total of 28 patients randomized at 18 U.S. sites. The patients enrolled in this study were Rutherford class 4 and 5, meaning they were in the later stages of peripheral artery disease and at heightened risk for amputation. Patients in the randomized group had CD34 injected at eight locations in the ischemic limb and were followed for 12 months.
“Stem cell treatment was associated with a significant reduction in amputation rate. Treatment was associated with a 50 percent reduction in the total amputation rate compared to control. Although further study is needed, these results provide evidence that CD34 cell therapy is an effective treatment for critical limb ischemia,” said Losordo. (ANI)
- Your own stem cells can treat cardiac disease - Nov 18, 2009
- Genetic switch that increases muscle blood supply identified - Mar 02, 2011
- Stem cells from aged, damaged hearts could be used to treat heart failure - Nov 18, 2010
- Stem cells from diseased hearts can treat cardiac failure - Nov 22, 2010
- Breakthrough can re-grow blood vessels in heart - Feb 17, 2012
- Platelet-rich plasma 'a promising treatment for heart attacks' - Jan 18, 2011
- 'Smart' adult stem cells repair heart in 'landmark work' - Aug 17, 2010
- Bacteria that may have a key role in hardening of arteries identified - Jan 06, 2011
- Your own stem cells can help treat heart disease: Study - Nov 18, 2009
- Molecule that can increase blood flow in vascular disease identified - Mar 11, 2011
- Scientists grow blood vessels using stem cells - Apr 07, 2009
- Pain killers retard recovery from heart attack - Apr 09, 2012
- MicroRNAs could increase amputation risk in diabetics - Jan 13, 2011
- How to heal a broken heart - Apr 13, 2010
- Stem cell revolution can defeat Alzheimer's - Jun 05, 2011
Tags: american heart association, amputations, blood vessel formation, cardiovascular medicine, chief investigator, double blind placebo, feinberg school of medicine, heart research, ischemic limb, ischemic limbs, limb ischemia, limb preservation, northwestern memorial hospital, northwestern university, peripheral artery disease, preservation study, randomized group, regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, stem cells