NEW GENE BASED DEVELOPMENTS

ARE THERE ANY GENE BASED THERAPIES AVAILABLE AS OF TODAY TO MANAGE CORONARY HEART DISEASE PATIENTS ?  WHAT I MEAN BY ASKING THIS IS THAT IF THERE ARE ANY ALTERNATE INVASIVE OR NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES AVAILABLE TO MANAGE CAD PATIENTS, BESIDES PROCEDURES LIKE ANGIOPLASTY, STENT, ATHERECTOMY ETC.

KINDLY INFORM IN DETAIL ABOUT SUCH THERAPIES IF ANY WHICH ARE BASED ON GENE RESEARCH.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.  REGARDS.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Sushil,

Dear Edward,


Thank you for your question.  Gene therapy does show some promise but is still in the experimental stages.  We do not currently have a DNA trial underway here but have had one in the past with Dr. Stephen Ellis.  It was called the VEGEF trial and involved the direct application of DNA to diseased coronary arteries.  The inclusion requirements were as follows: 1. At least 20% reversible ischemia on PET or thallium scan. 2. Heart cath within the last 6 months. 3. No cancer. 4. No retinopathy (eye disorder). 5. Ejection fraction of at least 25%.

If you would like to be considered for future gene therapy trials here at the clinic or you have additional questions contact Cathy Comella at [phone].

I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.