Could a protein injection replace bypass surgery to treat heart disease?
A researcher at the Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine has already shown a protein injection in the legs of mice with diseased blood vessels can stimulate the growth of new healthy blood vessels. Next, she will see if the same technique results in the restoration of blood flow for those with heart disease.
Dr. Britta Hardy, the researcher credited with the discovery, reports dramatic and rapid results from the injections. Dr Hardy says, "Within a short time we saw the formation of capillaries and tiny blood vessels. After three weeks, they had grown and merged together with the rest of the circulatory system."
"The biotechnology behind our human-based protein therapy is very complicated, but the goal is simple and the solution is straightforward. We intend to inject our drug locally to heal any oxygen-starved tissue. So far in animal models, we've seen no side effects and no inflammation following our injection of the drug into the legs. The growth of new blood vessels happens within a few weeks, showing improved blood circulation."
The same protein has been shown to help prevent new clots from developing in stents. And it has been suggested that the protein might also eliminate the need for patients to take expensive and risky blood thinners.
Because the protein injections appear to be safe and result in growth of new blood vessels in such a short period of time, it is anticipated that Phase 1 trials would be brief. According to the study, in as little as two years an entirely new treatment option for coronary artery disease patients may be commercially available.
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