New research has revealed that a genetically enhanced stem cell therapy for PAH may be available soon.  The study, entitled “Endothelial NO-Synthase Gene-Enhanced Progenitor Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: the PHACeT Trial” was published in the journal Circulation Research this month.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a condition where blood pressure increases in the pulmonary arteries that supply blood to the lungs. The increase in pressure causes very serious symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, fatigue and weakness. PAH is life-threatening because it places a great deal of strain on the heart. Researchers have been attempting to create a stem cell therapy for PAH because it is degenerative and currently has no cure.

The research project consisted of a phase 1 clinical trial called Pulmonary Hypertension And Cell-Therapy (PHACeT). Researchers were interested in assessing how tolerable the genetically enhanced stem cells were to the human body and how effective they were at repairing lung blood vessels.

Researchers first harvested white blood cells from seven patients with PAH. The cells were then cultured in a laboratory to extract endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). EPCs play an important role in the regeneration of the endothelial lining of blood vessels. The EPCs were genetically modified to produce more nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator that can help repair and regenerate blood vessels. The modified cells were then injected into the patients on three occasions via a pulmonary artery catheter.

Researchers found that the treatment was well tolerated by the patient’s bodies. One patient who had severe PAH and a very poor prognosis, died after the treatment. Researchers believe the patient’s death was unrelated to the treatment.

The other patients saw improved blood flow in the lungs and a better quality of life within 6 months of having the stem cell therapy. яндекс

Source: Promising Genetically-Enhanced Stem Cell Therapy for PAH Discovered

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