autologous c-kit-positive cardiac stem cells

Autologous c-kit-positive cardiac stem cells are an experimental cell-based biologic therapy being developed by the Sakakibara Heart Institute in collaboration with Tokai University. The therapy involves harvesting a right atrial appendage biopsy from a patient during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), isolating and expanding c-kit-positive cardiac stem cells (CSCs) ex vivo, and subsequently reinfusing approximately 1,000,000 of these cells via an intracoronary route. The treatment is designed to promote myocardial regeneration and improve left ventricular function in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy and a reduced ejection fraction (< 40%). The mechanism of action is thought to involve the differentiation of these progenitor cells into cardiac lineages or the secretion of paracrine factors that stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms in the damaged heart tissue.

Other names

autologous c-kit+ cardiac stem cellsautologous c-kit+ CSCsautologous c-kit-positive CSCs