Open AccessClinical Trials of Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Peripheral Artery Disease
Author(s) -
Crystal M. Botham,
William L. Bennett,
John P. Cooke
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
methodist debakey cardiovascular journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.552
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1947-6094
pISSN - 1947-6108
DOI - 10.14797/mdcj-9-4-201
Subject(s) - medicine , medline , webcast , medical education , world wide web , political science , computer science , law
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to noncoronary vascular disease affecting the peripheral arteries. Most commonly the term is applied to occlusive arterial disease affecting the limb arteries, typically due to atherosclerosis. Preclinical studies indicate that a variety of stem cell therapies provide growth factors and cytokines for therapeutic angiogenesis. Small clinical trials with bone marrow mononuclear cells, as well as other cell types, have shown promise. However, mechanisms of therapeutic effect, if any, are not understood. Definitive clinical trials are needed to determine if there are any beneficial effects on functional capacity or morbidity.