Author Interviews, Genetic Research, Heart Disease, JAMA, UCSD / 01.04.2016
Intracoronary Gene Transfer Improved Ejection Fraction in Heart Failure
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
H Kirk Hammond, MD
Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)
University of California San Diego
Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, CA 92161
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Hammond: Heart failure affects >28 million patients worldwide and is the only cardiovascular disease that is increasing in prevalence. Despite steady improvement in drug therapy for heart failure, recent hospitalization rates and mortality have changed little. New therapies are needed. Adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6), is a protein that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP and is an important determinant of heart function. The amount and function of AC6 are reduced in failing hearts, and preclinical studies have shown benefits of increased cardiac AC6 content on the heart. The aim of the trial was to determine safety and heart function gene transfer of AC6, achieved by intracoronary delivery of an inactivated virus carrying the gene for AC6 (Ad5hAC6) in patients with symptomatic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Our hypothesis was that AC6 gene transfer would safely increase function of the failing hearts of patients with heart failure.
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