Autologous bone marrow stem cell mobilization induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor after subacute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing late revascularization: final results from the G-CSF-STEMI (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigator-driven, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II study was to compare the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the improvement of myocardial function in patients undergoing delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).


BACKGROUND
Experimental and early clinical studies suggest that transplantation of stem cells improves cardiac regeneration and neovascularization after acute myocardial infarction. Most investigators have utilized either a direct injection or intracoronary infusion of bone marrow-derived cells, but early cytokine-mediated mobilization of stem cells has been reported to show similar improvement in cardiac function.


METHODS
Forty-four patients with late revascularized subacute STEMI were treated either with G-CSF or placebo over 5 days after successful PCI. Primary end points were change of global and regional myocardial function from baseline (1 week after PCI) to 3 months after PCI assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondary end points consisted of characterization of mobilized stem cell populations, assessment of safety parameters up to 12 months including 6-month angiography, as well as myocardial perfusion assessed by MRI.


RESULTS
Global myocardial function from baseline (1 week after PCI) to 3 months improved in both groups, but G-CSF was not superior to placebo (Delta(ejection fraction) 6.2 +/- 9.0 vs. 5.3 +/- 9.8%, p = 0.77). A slight but non-significant improvement of regional function occurred in both groups. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor resulted in mobilization of endothelial progenitor cell populations and was well tolerated with a similar rate of target lesion revascularization from in-stent restenosis. In both groups major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in a comparable frequency. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor resulted in significant improvement of myocardial perfusion 1 week and 1 month after PCI.


CONCLUSIONS
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment after PCI in subacute STEMI is feasible and relatively safe. However, patients do not benefit from G-CSF when PCI is performed late. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor results in improved myocardial perfusion of the infarcted area, which may reflect enhanced neovascularization.
Engelmann
Markus G
MG
Medical Clinic I-Department of Cardiology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Germany.
Theiss
Hans D
HD
Hennig-Theiss
Christine
C
Huber
Armin
A
Wintersperger
Bernd J
BJ
Werle-Ruedinger
Anja-Eva
AE
Schoenberg
Stefan O
SO
Steinbeck
Gerhard
G
Franz
Wolfgang-M
WM
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor