MADRID, Spain, February 9, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A heart attack victim was treated with stem cells taken from his own fat tissue in a groundbreaking new experiment taking place in Spain this week, Science Daily reported Feb.7.
In a collaborative effort, Dr. Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Chief of Cardiology Service at Gregorio Marañón and Dr. Perin, Director of New Interventional Cardiovascular Technology and Director of Stem Cell Center at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s, have undertaken the attempt to use human adipose (fat) tissue as a source of adult stem cells to regenerate damaged heart muscle.
The cells were removed from adipose tissue in a procedure similar to that of liposuction. After processing, the stem cells were injected directly into the patient’s heart, targeting areas of damaged but still viable tissue.
“This is the first time we have used adipose-derived stem cells in humans. We had good results in our pre-clinical tests and we are excited about taking this research to the next level,” said Dr. Perin.
A similar study also being carried out at the Texas Heart Institute, and in by a research team in the United Kingdom, involves the use of adult stem cells taken from the patient’s bone marrow and injected into an artery. The cells are believed to repair heart tissue after traveling through the blood stream.
“The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s has been conducting the first FDA-approved adult stem cell study for heart failure patients using stem cells taken from the patients’ own bone marrow. We have almost completed enrolling the final patient in that 30-patient study and look forward to sharing those results later this year,” said James T. Willerson, M.D., president-elect and medical director of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s.
Research using adult stem cells has seen marked success in a variety of areas, including treatments for blindness, paralysis, and leukemia in children. Multiple studies under way hold promise for the future treatment of diseases as varied as diabetes, cancer, tooth decay, and adult leukemia.
Despite the success rate of research involving adult stem cells, embryonic cellular research that requires the killing of human embryos continues to be the focus of much of the research into stem cell treatments. Embryonic stem cell research, however, has not produced any medically-successful therapies to this date.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
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Adult Stem Cells Used to Treat Emergency Heart Attack Patients
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