Method of treating coronary artery disease by administering a recombinant FGF

Patent Number: 6451303

There are more than 20 members of the fibroblast growth factor family. Many of the FGF proteins are involved in activation of stem cell proliferation, as well as induction of angiogenesis. This patent covers the treatment of coronary artery disease, for example ischemia induced by it...through the stimulation of angiogenesis by administration of FGF.

There is at least one trial ongoing with FGF administration for treatment of angina. The advantage of using FGF is that it has high affinity to tissue extracellular matrix via binding through heparin. Therefore FGF can be administered directly as a protein for induction of angiogenesis.

The administration of FGF together with stem cells is sure to potentiate the angiongenic effects of this invention.

View this patent on the USPTO website.