title: Intramuscular vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy in patients with chronic critical leg ischemia.
abstract: We sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of intramuscular gene therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with chronic critical leg ischemia.Gene transfer was performed in 24 limbs of 21 patients with rest pain, some of whom also had nonhealing ischemic ulcers (n = 16) due to occlusive peripheral arterial disease. Between 400 microg and 2000 microg of phVEGF(165) (400 microg, n = 2; 800 microg, n = 4; 1200 microg, n = 4; 1600 microg, n = 6; and 2000 microg, n = 8) was injected directly into the muscles of the ischemic limb; the same dose was injected 4 weeks later. The ratio of blood pressures at the ankle and brachial artery was measured before and after treatment. Mean (+/- SD) plasma levels of VEGF increased significantly from 26 +/- 31 pg/mL to 63 +/- 56 pg/mL (P <0.005), and the ankle-brachial index improved significantly from 0.58 +/- 0.24 to 0.72 +/- 0.28 (P <0.001). Magnetic resonance angiography showed qualitative evidence of improved distal flow in 19 limbs (79%). Ischemic ulcers healed or improved markedly in 12 limbs (75%). Rest pain was relieved or improved markedly in 20 limbs (83%). Amputation was performed in two limbs because of wound infection. Complications were limited to transient leg edema in six limbs. Intramuscular gene therapy with VEGF(165) for patients with chronic critical leg ischemia is safe, feasible, and effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kou-Gi
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Bao-Wei
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Peiliang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D010957:Plasmids; D019076:Transgenes; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D004247:DNA