Autologous Stem Cells Treat Angina

Clinical trials reveal that patients suffering from severe angina pectoris show significant improvement after receiving autologous adult stem cell therapy. The results were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in November 2005 in Dallas (TX, USA).

VesCell technology, developed by TheraVitae (Ness Ziona, Israel), facilitates the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of angiogenic cell precursors (ACPs) that originate in the bone marrow and then circulate in the blood vessels. A key aspect of VesCell therapy is the advanced cell isolation and expansion technique that can collect the ACPs in an amount sufficient to induce blood vessel formation in the heart.

Unlike most clinical trials currently underway, VesCell uses adult stem cells derived from a patient's own blood rather than the bone marrow. The cells are isolated from the blood, processed outside the body, and then administered to the patient via standard catheterization to regions of the heart suffering from reduced blood supply.

The study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of intracoronary administration of VesCell to patients suffering from severe angina pectoris, is being conducted in conjunction with Her Majesty's Cardiac Center at Siriraj Medical Hospital in Bangkok (Thailand).

"The results are a major step toward proving the safety and efficacy of VesCell therapy, and demonstrating the reliability of TheraVitae's cell manufacturing process. Moreover, they illustrate the considerable benefits and low risk that VesCell therapy provides to patients,” said Alex Battler, MD, director of cardiology at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel and chief medical officer of TheraVitae.



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