Muscle patch made from stem cells could treat heart failure
New ScientistFEB 1
German scientists have developed heart muscle patches which can begin pumping autonomously in laboratory conditions before being grafted onto failing hearts. The patches are created using stem cells derived from blood samples, and can be grown to measure up to 4 x 2 inches.
Research has shown that the patches — which contain up to 200M cells embedded in collagen hydrogel — demonstrate safety and efficacy in rhesus macaques. They also improve heart wall thickness and enhance pumping ability without triggering irregular heartbeats or tumor formation.
While patients of the treatment require immunosuppressant drugs as the patches use donor cells, scientists claim the approach enables faster treatment delivery and better safety testing than patient-specific cells.
The heart patch represents a revolutionary breakthrough in treating heart failure and offers the first-ever possibility of effectively regenerating human heart tissue. The patches contain young muscle, with the characteristics of a heart between four and eight years old, providing a viable solution for patients who have exhausted other treatment options.
This potential treatment still faces significant challenges, including incomplete maturation of heart muscle cells and slow establishment of blood flow. Additionally, the requirement for immunosuppressant drugs, and the three—to six-month waiting period for therapeutic effects limits its immediate applicability for patients who desperately need urgent medical intervention.