Cimaglermin- A new drug to repair failed hearts!
The researchers with the proven results assure that a new experimental drug called Cimaglermin helps in restoring cardiac function after heart failure.
“These findings support continued clinical development of the investigational drug cimaglermin, including further safety evaluations and detailing the potential improvement on clinical heart failure outcome measures,” said lead author of the study Daniel Lenihan from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, US.
A number of heart failure patients, especially those with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, do not sufficiently respond to current medical therapy. The researchers examined the safety and efficacy of a single infusion of cimaglermin, which acts as a growth factor for the heart. It helps the structural, metabolic and contractile elements of the heart to repair itself following injury.
The study enrolled 40 heart failure patients who were taking optimal medical therapy for at least 3 months prior to the trial. More than the patients who received a placebo, those who received a high hose of cimaglermin had a sustained increase in left ventricular ejection fraction or pumping capacity, through 90 days after dosing, with the maximum increase reached at day 28. Headache and nausea are considered as the most common side effects, that were associated temporarily, with exposure to the drug.
“As with all experimental therapeutics, additional studies will be required and subject to regulatory review to determine if the relative risks and benefits of cimaglermin warrant approval,” Lenihan said.
