Clinical Trials within U.S.: Heart Disease

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS the number one cause of death in the United States. Cell therapy is being investigated at a rapid pace worldwide and may revolutionize contemporary cardiovascular disease treatment. Progress in this field is fueled by promising results in animal studies and a societal push for effective and potentially curative therapy. Stem cells can differentiate into nearly any mature cell phenotype and can self—renew indefinitely. Adult—derived “progenitor” cells have limited differentiation capability and cannot self—renew; however, these cells are more readily accessible and are not subject to moral/ethical debate. Bone marrow and peripheral blood circulating progenitor cells have been the focus of current human trials. Future trials will explore the therapeutic potential of other adult progenitor cell sources.

Initial emphasis on cell transfer to replace ...