The researchers investigated the benefits of using a patient’s own (autologous) selected adult stem cells, called CD34+ cells, to treat coronary artery disease.
A total of 24 patients suffering from disabling angina attacks, the most severe type of chest pain, participated in the study. After six months of follow up, more than 80%, or 15 of the 18 patients who received the autologous adult stem cells, reported feeling better with reductions in chest pain and improved exercise capacity.
“We were very pleasantly surprised to learn that the autologous adult stem cells were not only well tolerated, but also appeared to show evidence of benefit,” said Dr Douglas Losordo, chief of cardiovascular research at Caritas St Elizabeth’s medical center in Boston. “While this is very early in the clinical trial process, we are cautiously optimistic as we move into a 150-patient, national multi-site phase II trial early next year.”
The American Heart Association estimates that between 125,000 and 250,000 individuals with coronary artery disease develop refractory angina each year. These individuals have exhausted all available treatment options including bypass surgery, angioplasty and stenting, and continue to have disabling angina despite medical treatment.
The new procedure involves collecting adult autologous stem cells from the patient’s own blood, all but eliminating rejection issues by the body. A device is used to process the stem cells collected from the patient, which allows for the selection of CD34+ adult stem cells that are free of surface contaminants, before the stem cells are injected back into the patient.