Stem Cell Trials Show Sustained Heart Function Improvement
20 9월 2006 - 10:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Australian
adult stem cell company, Mesoblast Limited, today announced
positive initial results of clinical adult stem cell trials for the
treatment of heart disease being conducted in conjunction with its
United States-based sister company Angioblast Systems Inc.
Angioblast and Mesoblast are conducting a Pilot Clinical Trial in
Australia focused upon the treatment of up to 10 patients suffering
from severe coronary artery disease and heart muscle damage. Cells
used in this trial are autologous, or the patients' own cells,
which have been selected and cultured using the company's
proprietary technology. "Interim results from our clinical trial at
the John Hunter Hospital in Australia have shown that heart
function has improved in each of the patients treated so far,"
Mesoblast Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Silviu Itescu, said.
In up to six months of follow-up after the patients' cells were
implanted into their damaged heart muscle, each of the first three
patients treated had demonstrated improvement in global heart
function of 20-60% relative to baseline, as determined by serial
echocardiograms. "This degree of improvement in heart function in
these very ill patients is extremely encouraging, and we look
forward to completing the trial and reporting on the outcomes of
all the patients in due course," Principal Investigator at the John
Hunter Hospital, interventional cardiologist Dr Suku Thambar, said.
Preclinical Trial Using 'Off-The-Shelf' Cells Support Clinical
Trial Results: The company has also now completed a number of large
animal studies focused upon the use of allogeneic stem cells, or
cells from an unrelated donor, for repair of damaged heart muscle
and improvement of heart function after a myocardial infarct, or
heart attack. In these studies the company's proprietary stem
cells, obtained from an allogeneic donor, were expanded and frozen
post GMP compliant manufacturing, in effect, an 'off-the-shelf'
stem cell product. All studies were undertaken by specialist
organizations and results have been independently reviewed. "Our
clinical trial experience has been further supported by results
from a number of large animal studies we have just completed using
allogeneic stem cells to improve heart function after a heart
attack. "In these studies, heart function in stem cell treated
animals was significantly superior to control groups that did not
receive stem cells, confirming the safety and effectiveness of our
frozen, pre-cultured allogeneic stem cells," Professor Itescu said.
In one study performed at the University of Pennsylvania, 36 sheep
underwent coronary artery occlusion and were treated with either
the company's stem cells obtained from an unrelated donor or
placebo. On the trial's completion at two months, the animals
treated with the allogeneic stem cells demonstrated up to 50%
greater mean global heart function than those receiving placebo, as
determined by serial echocardiograms. Importantly, pathology
studies have not shown evidence of allergic reaction, rejection, or
abnormal tissue formation. "These are major steps forward in
proving the company's primary business model to develop an
off-the-shelf cell therapy product for improving heart function,"
Professor Itescu added. About Mesoblast Limited: Mesoblast Limited
(ASX:MSB/OTC:MBLTY) is an Australian biotechnology company
committed to commercialisation of novel treatments for orthopedic
conditions, including a unique adult stem cell technology aimed at
the regeneration and repair of bone and cartilage. Mesoblast has
worldwide exclusive rights to a series of patents and technologies
that have been developed over more than 10 years relating to the
identification, extraction and culture of adult Mesenchymal
Precursor Cells (MPCs). The company has also acquired a 33.3%
interest in Angioblast Systems Inc, an American company developing
the platform MPC technology for the treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, including repair and regeneration of blood vessels and
heart muscle. Mesoblast's strategy is to maximize shareholder value
through both corporate partnerships and rapid product
commercialization. For further information, please contact: Julie
Meldrum Corporate Communications Director Mesoblast Limited T: + 61
3 9639 6036 E: W: http://www.mesoblast.com/
http://www.angioblast.com/ DATASOURCE: Mesoblast Limited CONTACT:
Julie Meldrum, Corporate Communications Director of Mesoblast
Limited, +61-3-9639-6036, Web site: http://www.mesoblast.com/
http://www.angioblast.com/
Copyright