Gene Therapy for Ischemic Cardiovascular Diseases: Some Lessons Learned from the First Clinical Trials

• Published in: Trends in cardiovascular medicine Vol. 14; no. 8; pp. 295 - 300
• Main Authors: Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo, Markkanen, Johanna E., Rissanen, Tuomas T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2004; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents - therapeutic use; Animals; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical trials; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug dosages; Efficiency; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Ischemia - therapy; Models, Animal; Neovascularization, Physiologic - drug effects; Pharmacology; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Studies; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors - therapeutic use; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 1050-1738; 1873-2615
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2004.09.001

Stimulation of angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis (i.e., therapeutic vascular growth) is a new concept for the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases. A wealth of information is already available about the mechanisms and mediators of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, which has led to the first randomized, controlled, phase II/III trials with recombinant growth factors or their genes. Even though end points predefined in the study protocols have been positive in several trials, it is still evident that the trials have not produced any clearly meaningful clinical benefits for the patients. This review addresses same questions and concepts related to the gene therapy-based applications of therapeutic vascular growth.