Mending broken hearts: the future of drug-based cardiac regeneration. (September 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keating, Mark
• Is Part Of: Future cardiology. Volume 3:Number 5(2007)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 495
• Publication Date: 2007-09
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.2217/14796678.3.5.493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6678

Abstract

Coronary heart disease is a massive health problem worldwide. In the USA alone, 1.2 million people suffer a coronary attack every year, and approximately 40% of these individuals die as a result. As damaged cardiac muscle forms scar tissue and is unable to function properly, those that do survive the attack are often left severely ill. Consequently, the potential for a therapy that allows healthy cardiac muscle to proliferate at the site of injury is enormous. Dr Mark Keating is a leading researcher in this area of regenerative medicine and his group has recently identified a compound that aids in the process of cardiac regeneration. Although currently focussing on ophthalmic drug research at Novartis, Dr Keating still has a great interest in this area. Here he discusses the potential of drug-based cardiac regeneration and the problems that must be overcome before this treatment can reach the clinic.