CAR-T may treat heart disease, says study

Sept. 12, 2019

A first-of-its-kind study by researchers at Penn Medicine found that CAR-T cell therapy may be a viable treatment option for heart disease.

For the study, researchers used genetically modified T cells to target and remove activated fibroblasts that contribute to the development of cardiac fibrosis. The team found the approach significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis and restored heart function in mice with heart disease caused by high blood pressure.

The findings could represent a significant step forward in efforts to treat — and potentially reverse — a condition that accelerates the progression of heart failure.

Researchers are planning additional studies to confirm fibroblast activation protein as the optimal target and to ensure safety risks are minimized.

Read more about the study

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