Combination growth factor therapy and cell therapy for treatment of acute and chronic heart disease

Patent Number: 7,166,280

Heart failure has been one of the main areas of stem cell research. Specifically, stem cells have previously been used clinically both for treatment of immediate post myocardial infarction (primarily to inhibit scar tissue and subsequent remodelling), as well as in patients with cardiac degeneration in absense of a myocardial infarct.

The current patent is very interesting since it claims something that is rather obvious at face value. The patent essentially claims the combination of growth factor administration together with stem cell administration.

Some of the growth factors mentioned in the patent have already been used for treatment of heart disease such as FGF and VEGF members. Additionally, it is important to note that others have already demonstrated synergy between administration of these types of growth factors together with stem cells.

Of particular interest in reading this patent is the use the inventor made of prophetic examples in order to support his concept.

View this patent on the USPTO website.