Stem cells harvested from the bone marrow of healthy donors proved as effective as those derived from the patients themselves, a study found Of 30 people that had previously suffered a heart attack, half were treated with their own stem cells and half with cells from donors In both groups scar tissue was reduced by 33 per cent Researchers say the use of donor cells could speed up treatment
By Kerry Mcdermott
PUBLISHED: 14:51 EST, 6 November 2012 | UPDATED: 05:58 EST, 7 November 2012
Stem cells culled from the bone marrow of healthy donors work as well as cells harvested from patients themselves as a treatment for damaged hearts, research has revealed.
The 13-month trial compared the safety and effectiveness of stem cells derived from the bone marrow of patients themselves to those provided by donors in the treatment of people suffering the after-effects of a heart attack.
The donor stem cells proved as effective as the patient stem cells in reducing scar tissue - a result researchers called 'very, very significant'.
Scientists are now exploring the use of stem cells to treat heart disease and other ailments (file photo)
Researchers have said the discovery that donor cells are as safe and effective as the recipients' own cells could potentially improve the treatment further by speeding it up, as doctors could draw on a bank of donor cells to administer to heart patients immediately.
Adult stem cells that renew themselves and mature into specific cell types have been used for 40 years in bone marrow transplants.