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Angiogenesis: a "breakthrough" technology in cardiovascular medicine
1Department of Medicine (Vascular Medicine) and Biomedical Research, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA.
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology
|March 24, 2000
Summary
Therapeutic angiogenesis utilizes growth factors to develop new blood vessels, offering novel treatments for diseases like cardiovascular conditions. Clinical trials explore gene therapy and protein treatments to enhance collateral artery growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Angiogenic growth factors are key targets for novel disease therapies.
- Inhibitors and antibodies are being developed to block angiogenesis.
- Eliminating pathological neovascularization is a primary therapeutic strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of therapeutic angiogenesis for cardiovascular diseases.
- To review current clinical trials involving recombinant protein and gene transfer therapies.
- To assess the proof-of-concept for angiogenic growth factors in augmenting collateral artery development.
Main Methods:
- Investigating antibodies and naturally occurring inhibitors of angiogenesis.
- Initiating clinical trials for myocardial ischemia and peripheral vascular disease.
- Utilizing recombinant protein therapy and gene transfer in therapeutic angiogenesis studies.
Main Results:
- Preliminary gene therapy applications demonstrate the potential of angiogenic growth factors.
- Collateral artery development in human subjects has been augmented by growth factors.
- Clinical trials are underway for myocardial ischemia and peripheral vascular disease.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic angiogenesis presents a promising avenue for treating various diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions.
- Gene therapy has shown proof-of-concept in promoting collateral artery growth.
- Further research is needed to address remaining questions in the field of therapeutic angiogenesis.