Refractory angina cell therapy (ReACT) involving autologous bone marrow cells in patients without left ventricular dysfunction: a possible role for monocytes.
Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for refractory angina patients. Previous studies have shown conflicting myocardium reperfusion results. The present study evaluated safety and efficacy of CellPraxis Refractory Angina Cell Therapy Protocol (ReACT), in which a specific BMMC formulation was administered as the sole therapy for these patients. The phase I/IIa noncontrolled, open label, clinical trial, involved eight patients with refractory angina and viable ischemic myocardium, without left ventricular dysfunction and who were not suitable for conventional myocardial revascularization. ReACT is a surgical procedure involving a single series of multiple injections (40-90 injections, 0.2 ml each) into ischemic areas of the left ventricle. Primary endpoints were Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Classification (CCSAC) improvement at 18 months follow-up and myocardium ischemic area reduction (assessed by scintigraphic analysis) at 12 months follow-up, in correlation with a specific BMMC formulation. Almost all patients presented progressive improvement in angina classification beginning 3 months (p = 0.008) postprocedure, which was sustained at 18 months follow-up (p = 0.004), as well as objective myocardium ischemic area reduction at 12 months (decrease of 84.4%, p < 0.004). A positive correlation was found between monocyte concentration and CCSAC improvement (r = -0.759, p < 0.05). Improvement in CCSAC, followed by correlated reduction in scintigraphic myocardium ischemic area, strongly suggests neoangiogenesis as the main stem cell action mechanism. The significant correlation between number of monocytes and improvement strongly supports a cell-related effect of ReACT. ReACT appeared safe and effective.
Hossne
Nelson Americo
NA
Cardiovascular Surgery Division, Surgery Department, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. nelson.hossne@gmail.com
Invitti
Adriana Luckow
AL
Buffolo
Enio
E
Azevedo
Silvia
S
Rodrigues de Oliveira
José Salvador
JS
Stolf
Noedir Groppo
NG
Cruz
L Eduardo
LE
Sanberg
Paul R
PR
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000628:therapy*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left