'Magnetic' stem cells for hearts

Heart attacks and other vascular injuries could eventually be treated using regular injections of magnetised stem cells, experts say.

In animal trials, the cutting-edge treatment delivered the healing cells to the precise site of damage where their help was needed.

Although human tests are needed, a similar magnetic approach has been used to guide cancer therapies.

The expert US journal Cardiovascular Interventions reports the findings.

Targeted treatment

The idea behind the targeted therapy is to get as many of the reparative stem cells as possible to the area of damage.

To achieve this the UK scientists coated the stem cells with minute magnetic particles.

When these stem cells were injected into the blood stream it was then possible to control their movement using a magnet.

In trials, the magnetic targeting led to a five-fold increase in cell localisation at a site of vascular injury in rats.

“ We await further research to find out if, as well as increasing the chances of these cells getting to where they are needed, this strategy can actually speed up the repair process ”
The British Heart Foundation's Professor Peter Weissberg

These same magnetic nanoparticles are already approved in the US where they are routinely used as an agent to make MRI scans clearer to read.

Senior author of the study Dr Mark Lythgoe, of University College London, said this meant human trials could begin within the next few years.

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