Stem-cell treatment shows promise in heart patients

11/17/09

A treatment that uses adult stem cells to rebuild failing hearts reduced chest pain and improved activity of severely ill patients one year after injection, a Northwestern University researcher working with a Chicago device maker reported Tuesday at a major heart conference.

Though still early, the work of Dr. Douglas Losordo that uses technology developed by Baxter International Inc. is being watched closely by the stem cell research community. The trial data, presented Tuesday afternoon at the American Heart Association scientific conference in Orlando, is also important in the study of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Because the group receiving therapy continues to show reduced angina and improved activity a year after they were injected with their purified stem cells, Losordo sees that as progress. In early stage clinical trials, it is critical for researchers to show differences between treatment and control groups to warrant further study.

“In this study, the treatment groups are separating so there is further improvement in the treatment group,” said Losordo in a telephone interview from the meeting. “The curves are separating as we go. We take that as a good sign.”

Read the full article at http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-northwestern-baxter-stem-cells-heart-nov17,0,5061588.story