Kyushu University Hospital announced in mid-January 2023 that they had transplanted cardiomyocyte sheets made from iPS cells to patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy. This surgery, called “human (allogeneic) iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte sheet transplantation,” will be the first in Kyushu.The progress after the transplant is said to be good.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy is extensive left ventricular myocardial damage caused by myocardial infarction caused by factors such as coronary arteriosclerosis.If left ventricular function is chronically degraded despite catheter therapy, coronary artery bypass surgery, drug therapy, etc., implantation of a left ventricular assist artificial heart or heart transplantation becomes necessary.
Human (allogeneic) iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte sheets are being commercialized through joint research between Kyoto University (iPS Cell Research Institute) and Osaka University.When this sheet is applied to the surface of the ischemic myocardium, abundant cytokines are released into the myocardium, improving microvascular blood flow and improving myocardial function.In addition, cells within the sheet stretch and contract in synchronism with the patient's myocardium to assist in heart function.Currently, clinical trials are being conducted in Japan, and safety and efficacy are being evaluated.
The patient is a man in his 50s who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery 17 years ago for severe myocardial infarction.After that, he gradually deteriorated his heart function and fell into severe congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy.
In this transplantation, under general anesthesia, the left anterior chest was incised to expose the left ventricular surface, and three human (allogeneic) iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte sheets were attached to the myocardial surface.The post-transplant course has been favorable and the patient is recovering smoothly.In the future, the company plans to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in improving cardiac function over the long term.
In the future, it is expected that this will lead to a decrease in the number of patients on the waiting list for heart transplants and those who require left ventricular assist artificial hearts.
