The new regenerative stem-cell therapy for heart disease is promising
Preclinical trials of a stem cell therapy developed by Duke-NUS Medical School for heart failure have shown promising results. According to a recent study in the journal, npj Regenerative Medicine, these cells can be transplanted to an injured heart to improve heart function and repair damaged tissue.
Longevity. Technology: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world, and is caused by a reduced blood flow to heart. Myocardial Infarction, or heart attack occurs when blood flow is blocked to the heart. This condition affects 805,000 Americans a year.
The Duke-NUS Study used a new protocol whereby pluripotent cells were grown in the lab to become heart muscle precursors. These cardiomyocytes can then develop into different types of heart cells through a cell differentiation process in which dividing cellular gain specialist functions. In preclinical studies, the cells were injected in the damaged area of the myocardium to restore damaged tissue and improve heart function.
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New regenerative stem cell therapy for heart disease shows promise
