Autologous adipose-derived stromal cell treatment for patients with refractory angina (MyStromalCell Trial): 3-years follow-up results

Stem cell therapy is investigated as a treatment option for patients with ischemic heart disease. In this study, long-term safety and efficacy of autologous intra-myocardial injections of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) was studied in patients with refractory angina.

Sixty patients with coronary artery stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction were 2:1 randomised to intramyocardial injections of ASCs or saline and followed for 3 years.

For patients in the ASC group, the bicycle exercise time and the exercise performance in watt were un-changed (383 ± 30 s to 370 ± 44 s, P = 0.052 and 81 ± 6 to 78 ± 10, P = 0.123, respectively), but the performance in METs was reduced significantly (4.2 ± 0.3 to 4.0 ± 0.4, P = 0.027) during the follow-up period. However, in the same period, there was in the placebo group a significant decline in bicycle exercise time (437 ± 53 s to 383 ± 58 s, P = 0.001), the exercise performance measured in watt (87 ± 12 W to 80 ± 12 W, P = 0.019) and in METs (4.5 ± 0.4 to 4.1 ± 0.4, P = 0.002). Moreover, angina measured as CCS class was significantly reduced in the ASC group but not in the placebo group (2.5 ± 0.9 to 1.8 ± 1.2, P = 0.002 and 2.5 ± 0.8 to 2.1 ± 1.3, P = 0.186, respectively). However, no significant change was observed between the two groups.

Patients receiving ASCs had improved cardiac symptoms and unchanged exercise capacity, in opposition to deterioration in the placebo group.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01449032. Registered 7 October 2011—Retrospectively registered, https://​www.​clinicaltrials.​gov/​ct2/​show/​NCT01449032?​term=​jens+kastrup&​rank=​7