Adult Stem Cells Used in the Largest Clinical Trials Ever to be Conducted for Congestive Heart Failure

CBS News, June 30, 2008

Known as The Marvel Study, clinical trials are currently underway on two continents for the largest study ever to be conducted in the treatment of congestive heart failure with adult stem cells. Directed by Dr. Alan Niederman of the Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Research Institute at Holy Cross Hospital in Miami, the study consists of 330 patients who are enrolled in the trials at 30 separate investigational sites throughout the U.S. and Europe. The study involves the exclusive use of autologous adult stem cells as therapy.

The stem cells are drawn from each patient's own thigh muscle and injected directly into the heart. According to Dr. Niederman, "This is what's known as the pivotal study. If this study is positive, they will go to the FDA to approve this technique as a broad technique that everybody can particupate in."

Previous studies indicate that improvement is often seen in the patient within a few weeks after receiving the stem cell therapy.