Infarction cell therapy: the largest study

At the London Thoracic Surgery Clinic (London Chest Hospital)
large-scale trials of cell therapy for myocardial infarction have begun

Marina Astvatsaturyan, Echo of MoscowThe study, which is called "The effect of intracoronary reinfusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells on mortality in acute myocardial infarction" (abbreviated BAMI, from bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells on mortality in acute myocardial infarction) was made possible thanks to the support of the European Commission, which allocated almost six million euros for it.

Among the 19 partners of the British project are doctors and patients from Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Poland, Finland, France, the Czech Republic and other countries. According to Medical News Today ('Largest ever' trial of adult stem cells in heart attack patients begins – VM), three thousand patients, along with stenting of coronary vessels, will receive an injection of stem cells within the first five days after a heart attack. Doctors participating in the study believe that this can increase survival after a heart attack by 25 percent.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of death. Last year, 17 million people died from heart diseases in the world. In the United States, myocardial infarction affects over one million people annually, in half of the cases with a fatal outcome. Usually, the cause of a heart attack is a blockage of the coronary arteries, leading to the cessation of blood supply and oxygen delivery to the heart. Without medical intervention, in the first few hours, the portion of the heart muscle left without oxygen dies.

The London-based BAMI project follows in the footsteps of three stem cell trials, which are united by the common name REGENERATE ("Regeneration"). They were held in the UK for four years by the Barts Health NHS Trust with the support of several charities (Heart Cells Foundation, UK Stem Cell Foundation and Barts Charity).

Within the framework of the Regeneration project, cells obtained from bone marrow were used to treat patients with coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure caused by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The results of the current tests will give a definitive answer to the question whether adult stem cells from bone marrow can repair damaged heart muscle and, if so, how these cells should be delivered to the patient's body.

"Stem cells are progenitor cells capable of turning into specialized cells of almost any type, in this sense they are unique," explains Anthony Mathur, the coordinator of the trials. "In this study, we will see if they can save the lives of heart attack patients across Europe," the scientist added. In 2012, Medical News Today reported on the results of a study of the ability of stem cells to restore post-infarction heart muscle in mice. The effect was observed only in young animals.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru05.03.2014