Thailand to Begin Stem Cell Heart Study

Thai scientists are set to begin the country's first official study into the effects of adult stem cell technology in curing heart disease. Forty patients will be tested over two months, with 20 receiving stem cells transplanted into their hearts and the rest given normal medical treatment, to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Deputy Chief of the Medical Sciences Department, Pongpan Vongmanee, is quoted as noting that although there are many reports of stem cell studies worldwide, Thailand has no official reports about consequences from this new medical technology. The trial results will be a concrete guideline for drawing up an effective plan for stem cell development. He goes on to add that his department is currently building a multi-million baht stem cell research laboratory.

However, what reports don't mention is the method that will be used to extract the Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACPs), which are required in order to treat heart disease, from the patient's body. These originate in bone marrow and then circulate in the blood vessels. Once harvested, they then have to be expanded into a therapeutic quantity.

Read the full article at Forbes.com