Angiogenesis therapies for cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to summarize the findings of the proangiogenic clinical trials using protein and gene therapy, with analysis of the problems and an interpretation of the results.


RESULTS
Recent findings include several new large clinical trials, using both gene and protein therapies. There has been development of new basic science concepts, especially with regard to endothelial activation and stabilization of newly formed microvessels. This review provides a critical analysis of the most recent clinical trials, both in efforts to understand the pitfalls of earlier clinical trials, and also to focus on requirements for future studies.


CONCLUSIONS
This article reviews many of the clinical trials utilizing proangiogenic therapy, assesses the pitfalls seen within the current trials, and discusses the conclusions drawn and the future of angiogenesis therapy.
Pedrotty
Dawn M
DM
Department of Biomedical Engineering, and 2Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
Niklason
Laura E
LE