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Launching a clinical program of stem cell therapy for cardiovascular repair

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine volume 4, pages S123–S129 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Since the feasibility of stem cell therapy has been recognized, enthusiasm for this therapy has grown exponentially. Nevertheless, as professionals we must realize that this enthusiasm should relate not only to our scientific interest but also to the care of our patients. Within the next decade, patients' demand for the latest therapies is likely to rise because of changes in health care systems that will broaden availability. Stem cell therapy is likely to be among these in-demand treatments, and we must be prepared for this change. In this Review we discuss the basic principles of how to launch a clinical program for stem cell therapy for cardiovascular repair. First, we look at the composition of the program team. Second, we describe the different types of stem cells available in clinical practice. Third, we present in depth the two most widely applicable delivery approaches. Finally, we discuss selection of patients and approaches and clinical and imaging methods by which to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this therapy.

Key Points

  • Preparations must be made for a rise in patients' demand for the latest therapies, including those still under investigation

  • A stem cell therapy program requires a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, hematologists, cardiovascular surgeons, imaging experts, basic scientists, and other professionals

  • A program's success should be assessed by surrogate endpoints, predicting changes in prognosis and quality of life, until the mechanisms of stem cell therapy are more clearly defined

  • With the information currently available, guessing the impact of stem cell therapy on survival is difficult and patients with various prognoses need to be studied

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Author notes

  1. Adolfo Villa, Roman Arnold and José Alberto San Román: A Villa and R Arnold are members of staff in the Imaging Unit, and JA San Román is Chief, Institute of Heart Sciences (ICICOR), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, PL Sánchez is a member of staff in the Coronary Care Unit, and F Fernández-Avilés is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Chief, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,

    Pedro L Sánchez & Francisco Fernández-Avilés

  2. Department of Hematology, F Sánchez-Guijo is a member of staff in, and C del Cañizo is Chief of, the Stem Cell Therapy Unit, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain.,

    Fermín M Sánchez-Guijo & Consuelo del Cañizo

Authors
  1. Pedro L Sánchez
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  2. Fermín M Sánchez-Guijo
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  3. Adolfo Villa
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  4. Consuelo del Cañizo
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  5. Roman Arnold
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  6. José Alberto San Román
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  7. Francisco Fernández-Avilés
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisco Fernández-Avilés.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Sánchez, P., Sánchez-Guijo, F., Villa, A. et al. Launching a clinical program of stem cell therapy for cardiovascular repair. Nat Rev Cardiol 4 (Suppl 1), S123–S129 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio0767

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