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Cell therapy for the treatment of coronary heart disease: a critical appraisal

Kai C Wollert1, Helmut Drexler

  • 1Hans-Borst Center for Heart and Stem Cell Research, Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany. wollert.kai@mh-hannover.de

Nature Reviews. Cardiology
|February 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cell therapy shows promise for improving cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Ongoing trials refine methods to optimize outcomes and explore cell-based regeneration for heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Cell Therapy

Background:

  • Clinical trials indicate cell therapy can enhance cardiac function recovery post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
  • Inconsistent trial results highlight the need to clarify mechanisms and optimize cell therapy for heart disease patients.
  • First-generation trials provide foundational data, but procedural variables require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review first-generation cell therapy trials for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
  • To discuss factors influencing treatment outcomes and identify areas for improvement in cell therapy protocols.
  • To explore future directions, including paracrine effects, stem cell sources, and regenerative approaches for cardiac repair.

Main Methods:

  • Review of randomized, controlled clinical trials on cell therapy for AMI.
  • Analysis of procedure-related variables impacting treatment outcomes.
  • Examination of ongoing and proposed future-generation trials (second and third generation).

Main Results:

  • Cell therapy has demonstrated potential benefits in improving cardiac function after AMI.
  • Significant variability in trial outcomes suggests a need for protocol refinement.
  • Key areas for investigation include cell timing, dose, delivery, retention, survival, and functionality.

Conclusions:

  • Second-generation trials are refining cell therapy protocols for AMI, focusing on optimal patient selection and delivery methods.
  • Third-generation trials aim to overcome limitations like cell survival and function in advanced cardiovascular disease.
  • Future advancements may involve leveraging paracrine factors and pluripotent stem cells for cardiac regeneration.

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