G-CSF therapy as an adjunct to reperfusion therapy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction

Patent Number: 7,220,407

Subsequent to myocardial infarction, cells of the injured myocardium release a variety of cytokines and mediators that are involved in mobilizing endogenous bone marrow stem cells and inducing their migration to the area of myocardial injury.

One cytokine released is G-CSF, which in addition to possessing hematopoietic functions also is a great mobilizer of stem cells.

In the current patent, Amgen covers the use of G-CSF administration after a person has had a heart attack and is successfully revascularized. The patent covers the use of G-CSF to:

- prevent post AMI reduction in ventricular wall thickness
- reduce myocardial scarring
- reduce necrosis
- improve patient outcome

The patent claims G-CSF after revascularization, G-CSF after bypass surgery, combinations of G-CSF with other cytokines, as well as specific concentrations of G-CSF.

Supporting examples for the patent include a porcine 90 minute proximal circumflex artery balloon occlusion model in which G-CSF was able to inhibit myocardial scarring, pathological remodeling and maintain LVEF.

View this patent on the USPTO website.