autologous cardiosphere-derived cells

Autologous cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) are cardiac progenitor cells derived from patient heart biopsies that have been expanded ex vivo for therapeutic use in heart disease.[1][4][8] The cells are isolated from small tissue samples taken from the patient's own heart, cultured to form cardiospheres (3D cell structures), and then expanded into a monolayer of CDCs.[5] The mechanism of action involves both direct cardiac regeneration through differentiation into new heart muscle and blood vessel cells, as well as indirect effects through release of paracrine factors that stimulate endogenous reparative and regenerative pathways.[1][3][4] CDCs are administered via intracoronary infusion through cardiac catheterization, where the cells are injected into coronary arteries to target damaged myocardium.[1][2][3] The primary indications under investigation are post-myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.[1][3][4] The therapy aims to reduce scar size, increase viable myocardium, and improve cardiac function.[4]

Other names

autologous cardiac-derived stem cellsautologous heart-derived cellscardiac progenitor cells