Myocyte Regeneration Using Novel Endothelial Growth Factor
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Myocyte Regeneration Using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mRNA in Human Hearts
IRAS ID
278085
Contact name
Stephen Large
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Worldwide, 37 million people suffer from heart failure. Despite significant advances in treatment over the last three decades, up to 45% of people with heart failure die within a year of being discharged from the hospital, and the majority within five years.
Heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump blood efficiently around the body. It’s usually due to damaged heart muscle, which is often the result of a heart attack.
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a protein that stimulates formation of new blood vessels and protects heart muscle cells. Messenger RNA or mRNA is the ‘middle man’ in the process by which genetic information contained in DNA is transferred to make proteins. We can stimulate VEGF-A production in the heart by injecting its mRNA into the damaged muscle.
Preclinical studies have shown that injecting VEGF-A mRNA into areas of damaged heart muscle can result in formation of new blood vessels. Even more encouraging, these studies have shown improved cardiac function in the treated hearts as a result of improved blood and oxygen supply.
With the recent advances in heart perfusion outside of the human body, known as the ‘heart in a box’ machine, we can now test this therapy in human hearts. In this research, we intend to test VEGF mRNA in four donor hearts, which are not suitable for clinical transplantation.
If this study is successful, it will confirm that injecting VEGF-A mRNA into heart muscle leads to production of VEGF-A protein and consequently production of new blood vessels and protection of the heart. This could lead to a significant progress in the treatment of patients with heart failure and help millions of people suffering from this disease.
This study will be conducted in collaboration with AstraZeneca, a Research-Based Biopharmaceutical Company.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
20/WA/0257
Date of REC Opinion
29 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion