Combination stem cell therapy for heart failure

Abstract

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) that are not eligible for transplantation have limited therapeutic options. Stem cell therapy such as autologous bone marrow, mobilized peripheral blood, or purified cells thereof has been used clinically since 2001. To date over 1000 patients have received cellular therapy as part of randomized trials, with the general consensus being that a moderate but statistically significant benefit occurs. Therefore, one of the important next steps in the field is optimization. In this paper we discuss three ways to approach this issue: a) increasing stem cell migration to the heart; b) augmenting stem cell activity; and c) combining existing stem cell therapies to recapitulate a "therapeutic niche". We conclude by describing a case report of a heart failure patient treated with a combination stem cell protocol in an attempt to augment beneficial aspects of cord blood CD34 cells and mesenchymal-like stem cells.

Intracavernous administration of bone marrow mononuclear cells: a new method of treating erectile dysfunction?

“…Stimulation of angiogenesis using this cell population has been performed in animal models of ischemia, as well as in clinical trials [132]. Kendirci et al used bone marrow cells that were isolated for expression of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor using magnetic activated cell sorting.…”

The Endometrium as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine1

“…A two-year follow up with echocardiogram revealed that the patient's ejection fraction increased to 40% and the blood concentrations of heart failure marker brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) decreased in parallel with the improved cardiac function. No adverse events were reported during the course of follow up [91]. A privately funded trial on ERCs was launched in 2012, in which patients with advanced congestive heart failure received ERCs via a retrograde coronary artery delivery technique.…”

Adult Stem Cell Therapy in Liver Cirrhosis Management: Current Practices and Future Perspectives

“…Another pilot study reported that the co-transplantation BM-MSC and peripheral blood stem cells was well-tolerated and improved disease prognosis [68]. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that the collective stem cell populations from the bone marrow have produced promising clinical outcomes in bone vascularization [69] and heart failure therapy [70]. However, the symbiotic relationship between HSCs and MSCs in liver regeneration has not yet been determined.…”