Hearts can be restored with stem cells from strangers

Researchers have published a study that represents a major step forward in using stem cells to help repair damaged hearts after heart attacks.

In research presented at the American Heart Association conference in California and published Nov. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stem cells from strangers were shown to be as safe and effective as the patient's own cells in restoring heart tissue.

Illustration photo. (Source: ptei.org)

Although it involved only 30 patients in Miami and Baltimore, the study demonstrated that cells from anyone could be used to treat these cases.

In the study, the scientists used a unique type of stem cell, taken from bone marrow and not expected to be rejected by the recipient's body. Unlike other types of cells, these cells do not carry a key feature on their surface, so the immune system does not recognize them as foreign tissue and destroy them, explained Dr. Joshua Hare of the University of Miami.

The patients in the study had suffered heart attacks many years earlier. All had heart failure because scar tissue from the disease severely weakened the heart, making it enlarged and floppy and unable to pump blood effectively.

Fifteen patients received stem cells from their own bone marrow, while 15 others received cells from strangers. About a year later, scar tissue had shrunk by about a third. Both groups improved in both quality of life and walking distance. Although there was no significant difference in blood pumping ability, doctors expect the patients’ health to continue to improve over time.

What's most exciting is that it's possible to use someone else's cells in this research without having to select a blood or tissue match.

The research has opened up a whole new direction of stem cell treatment, like a version of blood banking.

This new method has the advantage of not having to create a cell therapy for each patient and could help them avoid pain or having to wait to use their own marrow."./.

According to (Vietnam+) - VT