Global conference on stem cell therapy for heart disease to be held Jan. 25-27 in NYC

WHAT: The Seventh International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is a comprehensive program dedicated to the evolving field of cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of cardiac and vascular disease, as well as related diseases such as diabetes and stroke. This year's conference will focus on preclinical and clinical studies on the path to commercialization, highlighting the status of molecular, cell, and tissue products in addition to delivery systems.

Noteworthy presentations include a potential role for cell therapy in metabolic syndrome, large-scale studies in patients with heart failure and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and early phase studies with new biologics involving endometrial cells.

Conference Highlights Include:

• Periadventitial MAPC Administration in STEMI: Results and Phase II Study

  Thursday, January 26, 2012; 9:00 AM

  Drs. Marc Penn and Warren Sherman will present 1-year results of a Phase 1 clinical trial involving an allogeneic bone marrow–derived adherent adult stem cell product in patients with first ST-elevation–myocardial infarction (STEMI). Preliminary 4-month results were recently published in the journal, Circulation Research: http://circres.ahajournals.org/content/110/2/304.full. Investigators will also describe the Phase 2 trial scheduled to begin later this year.

• SCIPIO: Autologous Cardiac-Derived Stem Cells for LV Dysfunction

  Thursday, January 26, 2012; 1:10 PM

  Dr. Roberto Bolli will present new data on cardiac MRI analyses, as well as, surgical feasibility and safety data from the SCIPIO trial. SCIPIO is a first-in-human, Phase 1, randomized trial of autologous c-kit+ cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Initial results published in The Lancet showed that intracoronary infusion of autologous CSCs results in a striking improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA functional class, quality of life, and in a significant reduction in infarct size.

• CD34+ Cells for Refractory Angina: ACT 34 CMI Update and Phase 3 Study Design

  Thursday, January 26, 2012; 10:45 AM

  Dr. Timothy Henry will discuss results of the ACT 34 trial, the largest randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of CD34+ cell therapy for the treatment of patients with class III/IV refractory angina. Dr. Henry will also discuss the study design of a planned Phase III trial set to begin in 2012.

• SDF-1 for Heart Failure: Results of a Phase I Trial

  Thursday, January 26, 2012; 1:30 PM

  Dr. Marc Penn will present 1-year clinical data results of a plasmid encoding human SDF-1 protein in patients with chronic heart failure. SDF-1 has been identified as a key regulator of stem cell trafficking to sites of cardiac injury and could potentially be used to treat chronic heart failure. Investigators initially found that after four months, patients exhibited clinically significant improvements in quality of life, six-minute walk distance, decreased heart failure symptoms and stabilization of myocardial function.

The latest conference agenda is available at http://celltherapy.crf.org/conference/agenda.html.

WHY: Now in its 11th year of clinical trials, the application of stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has seen many notable successes, as well as identified challenges that await the next round of clinical studies. Leaders in the field will convene to present their work, experiences, observations, and opinions on the benefits and unmet challenges of cell-based therapies.

In addition, Friday's sessions will focus on developing a rational policy towards stem cell study and utilization. Leading experts will also explore the benefits and drawbacks of stem cell tourism.

WHO:

Course Director

Warren Sherman, MD

New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center

New York, NY

Course Co-Directors

Josef Bartunek, MD, PhD

Cardiovascular Center, OLV Hospital

Aalst, Belgium

Henricus J. Duckers, MD, PhD

Erasmus University Hospital

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Amit Patel, MD, MS

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Marc S. Penn, MD, PhD

Summa Health System

Cleveland, Ohio

WHEN: January 25-27, 2012

WHERE: Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center

Myrna L. Daniels Auditorium

NYPH/Columbia University Medical Center

173 Fort Washington Avenue, 1st Floor

New York, NY 10032

For more information visit: http://celltherapy.crf.org/

HOW TO REGISTER: Media may apply for registration by visiting http://celltherapy.crf.org/register/press-registration.html.

Provided by Cardiovascular Research Foundation