Bone Marrow Stem Cell Trials in Ischemia to Start

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Trials in Ischemia to Start

A news release from Case Western University reports that the University will begin a study to evaluate the safety of using adult stem cells from bone marrow to treat chronic ischemia, a serious form of heart disease in which blood flow to the heart is restricted by narrowed arteries. The FDA gave its approval to the Phase I safety trial. The stem cells will be injected into the coronary arteries of the patients. The stem cells will be harvested from the patients’ own bone marrow.

The initial study is limited; three to four patients will be assigned to one of three groups to receive preset doses of the stem cells. To participate in the trials, patients must meet the following criteria: Participants must have coronary artery blockages identified by cardiac catheterization that cannot be treated with balloon angioplasty, stent, or other standard therapies. An electronic form is available on the University Health Hospital Systems website (http://www.uhhs.com), or you can call HealthMatch at (216) 844-5000.