A series of stem cell trials called CARE-MI were completed in September 2015. The trials explored the safety and effectiveness of AlloCSC-01, a suspension of allogeneic human cardiac cells for patients who have had a heart attack.
The stem cell trials have evaluated the potential of stem cells to repair cardiac damage and restore tissue function in the heart. Researchers believed that the stem cells were capable of kick-starting the heart’s natural repair mechanisms to regenerate tissue. The project has shown some very good results and now will lead onto further research which will be completed in 2017.
Typically, when a heart attack occurs, heart tissue is permanently damaged and a condition called chronic heart failure occurs. The heart can no longer plump blood as well as it should be, leading to a wide range of symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid heartbeat.
Researchers believed AlloCSC-01 can regenerate heart tissue after a heart attack and prevent chronic heart failure. The research shows that to be true. The most recent research also demonstrated that the stem cells have anti-inflammatory and hypo-immunogenic properties.
There are more than 1.5 million heart attacks in the EU and USA each year alone. Chronic heart failure kills an estimated 18% of people each year in the United States.
Up till now, stem cell therapies which aim to treat chronic heart failure have only been mildly successful. Previous stem cell therapies were also very complex and expensive to perform. Because there are millions of people with chronic heart failure, any treatment would need to be easy to use and capable of being replicated easily.
Recent research projects informed scientists that heart muscles contained pluripotent stem cells. These cells are capable of acting like endogenous cardiac stem cells (eCSCs), which are capable of restoring function to the heart. The difficult part was activating the eCSCs, but researchers believe they have made progress and can achieve that goal reliably.
Further research will ensure the treatment method is safe and works every time. Researchers will also ensure it complies with regulatory standards, is biocompatible and is affordable.
Source: Stem Cell Trial Success Could Lead to New Heart Disease Therapies
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