Myocardial heart attacks are a major healthcare challenge, particularly in developed societies. Although progress in this field has managed to reduce mortality for this disease, many of these patients subsequently suffer from chronic heart failure affecting quality of life and reducing their life expectancy.
In order to limit tissue damage from the heart attack, the biotechnology company Coretherapix (member of the Genetrix group) has developed a cellular product consisting of a suspension of cardiac stem cells isolated from the donor tissue and expanded for intracoronary administration in patients who have suffered an acute myocardial heart attack and whose cardiac tissue has been seriously affected. The product is administered by catheter once the patient’s clinical situation has been stabilised (around 5-7 days after the heart attack).
The product has had promising results on animals and the clinical trial, called CAREMI, is being run right now to check its safety and obtain data on effectiveness. The randomised phase is already under-way and involves 49 patients of whom approximately 32 will receive the cell treatment and 17 will receive a placebo; it will then evaluate the therapeutic effect of the cellular product. The trial is being coordinated by the Gregorio Marañón University Hospital in Madrid and the Catholic University Hospital in Leuven (Belgium), with participation from the HUD and Biodonostia HRI who have already treated three patients out of the twelve recruited so far.
According to Dr. Mariano Larman, cardiology and hemodynamics expert from the HUD, “one of the product’s advantages is that it comes ready to use whenever the patient needs it,” as it uses cardiac stem cells obtained from donors that are expanded in the lab until reaching the necessary dose. “This aspect is crucial, as it is a race against time, a process where managing time is a key factor.” On the other hand, Dr. Ana Aiastui, in charge of the Cell Cultivation Platform at Biodonostia HRI, also highlights the “strong tropism” of this cellular product. “As the product uses heart cells to treat the heart, it is highly effective.”
Alternately, Dr. Julio Arrizabalaga, Scientific Director at the Biodonostia HRI, highlights that the three patients treated in Gipuzkoa are a “clear example of what Biodonostia was set up for and how, with joint work between researchers and healthcare professionals, it is possible to develop projects that can be applied directly to patients’ health and quality of life”.
