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Stem cell hope for heart patients | Stem cell hope for heart patients |
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Scientists have raised hope that stem cell therapy could provide significant relief for patients disabled by untreatable chest pain. | Scientists have raised hope that stem cell therapy could provide significant relief for patients disabled by untreatable chest pain. |
Patients with severe angina had stem cells from their blood injected into their heart. | Patients with severe angina had stem cells from their blood injected into their heart. |
The therapy, carried out by Chicago's Northwestern University, halved the number of bouts of angina chest pain. | The therapy, carried out by Chicago's Northwestern University, halved the number of bouts of angina chest pain. |
But UK experts have stressed the work is still at an early stage, and the potential longer benefit is unknown. | But UK experts have stressed the work is still at an early stage, and the potential longer benefit is unknown. |
The procedure may also carry a risk: it is suspected of causing heart muscle damage in two patients, and others reported bone and chest pain. | The procedure may also carry a risk: it is suspected of causing heart muscle damage in two patients, and others reported bone and chest pain. |
The study, reported in the journal Circulation Research, was carried out on 167 patients with "refraction" angina, which does not respond to any standard treatment. | The study, reported in the journal Circulation Research, was carried out on 167 patients with "refraction" angina, which does not respond to any standard treatment. |
They were given high or low dose stem cell infusions, or a dummy injection. | They were given high or low dose stem cell infusions, or a dummy injection. |
A year on, patients in the low-dose group had an average of 6.3 episodes of pain a week, compared to 11 a week for those given the placebo jab. | A year on, patients in the low-dose group had an average of 6.3 episodes of pain a week, compared to 11 a week for those given the placebo jab. |
The length of time they were able to tolerate exercise also improved by 139 seconds after six months, compared to an improvement of 69 seconds for the placebo group. | The length of time they were able to tolerate exercise also improved by 139 seconds after six months, compared to an improvement of 69 seconds for the placebo group. |
There was no significant benefit from receiving a higher dose of stem cells. | There was no significant benefit from receiving a higher dose of stem cells. |
Lead researcher Professor Douglas Losordo said: "The net difference in exercise tolerance is highly clinically significant, particularly in a patient population that is severely limited by symptoms. | Lead researcher Professor Douglas Losordo said: "The net difference in exercise tolerance is highly clinically significant, particularly in a patient population that is severely limited by symptoms. |
"It translates as going from being able to watch television to being able to walk at a normal pace or going from being able to walk slowly to being able to ride a bike." | "It translates as going from being able to watch television to being able to walk at a normal pace or going from being able to walk slowly to being able to ride a bike." |
Bone marrow cells | Bone marrow cells |
The treatment used bone marrow stem cells called CD34+ cells which circulate in the blood. | The treatment used bone marrow stem cells called CD34+ cells which circulate in the blood. |
Previous research has suggested these cells can create new blood vessels in diseased heart muscle. | Previous research has suggested these cells can create new blood vessels in diseased heart muscle. |
The researchers used a growth-stimulated drug to boost their numbers before harvesting them. | The researchers used a growth-stimulated drug to boost their numbers before harvesting them. |
The cells were then injected into areas of heart muscle that had been starved of blood. | |
The Chicago team plans to further develop the technique in more advanced Phase III trials later this year. | The Chicago team plans to further develop the technique in more advanced Phase III trials later this year. |
Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the study showed promised, but warned it was still uncertain whether the therapy would produce lasting benefit. | Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the study showed promised, but warned it was still uncertain whether the therapy would produce lasting benefit. |
He said: "The mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. | He said: "The mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. |
"Until these uncertainties are resolved, it remains unclear how successful this kind of treatment will prove to be." | "Until these uncertainties are resolved, it remains unclear how successful this kind of treatment will prove to be." |