Autologous Cardiac Stem Cell Injection in Patients with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (CHILD Study)

Sunjay Kaushal1, Joshua M Hare2, Aakash M Shah3

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. skaushal@luriechildrens.org.

Pediatric Cardiology
|April 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The CHILD trial investigates using neonatal cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) to treat hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in infants. This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of this novel cell therapy for improving heart function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Pediatric Heart Surgery

Background:

  • Infant mortality in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is linked to right ventricle (RV) dysfunction.
  • Cell therapy shows promise for RV dysfunction in HLHS animal models.
  • Neonatal cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) are more effective than adult CPCs in preclinical studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential efficacy of intramyocardial injection of autologous neonatal CPCs (nCPCs) in infants with HLHS.
  • To assess nCPC therapy in a Phase I/II clinical trial (the CHILD trial).

Main Methods:

  • The CHILD trial is an open-label, multicenter Phase I/II study.
  • Group A (Phase I) assesses safety and feasibility in 10 patients.
  • Group B (Phase II) is a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter trial assessing efficacy in 22 patients, focusing on RV function and structure.

Main Results:

  • This abstract presents the design of the CHILD trial, not interim or final results.
  • The trial aims to enroll 32 patients across 4 institutions.

Conclusions:

  • The CHILD trial is expected to provide critical insights into the therapeutic potential of nCPCs for HLHS.
  • This research may pave the way for new treatments for infants with this complex congenital heart defect.

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