Adult Stem Cells Show prospective for the Treatment of Cardiac Patients

It has been proven through an FDA-approved clinical trial that treating heart attack patients with adult stem cells is safe and seems to repair damaged heart tissue. The first phase of the trial intended to prove the safety and efficacy of injecting a formulation of adult mesenchymal stem cells, Prochymal, in patient's right after they suffered a heart attack, to diminish the damage to the heart muscle.

The sample consisted of 53 patients who had suffered a heart attack between one to ten days before. They were randomized to one of three doses of stem cells, each dose compared with placebo. After six months, researchers analyzed the serious side effects that were related to the treatment and used echocardiography to measure the efficacy.

The study discovered that the patients treated with stem cells presented fewer side effects like cardiac arrhythmias and showed important improvements in their heart, lung, and global functions. According to researchers' the echocardiography showed better heart function, especially in patients with lots of cardiac damage. Up to date, damaged cardiac tissue cannot be repaired through any known scientific method.

These results will put to rest some of the discussions in regards to clinical stem cell research for heart disease. Although many think that it is too soon to test stem cells in patients, this study has proven the value of exact and controlled clinical trials. The base for novel cell heart therapies has been established.

This trial is the point of reference to advance along this stem cell path. There are several advantages to mesenchymal stem cells as cell-based therapy; among these are:

• Can be taken from donors that are genetically different
• Are easy to prepare
• Tend to gather around injured spots

It is certainly exciting to imagine what is ahead. Each study will provide new information, new teachings, and new possibilities for the use of adult stem cell therapies to treat cardiac patients.