Mesoblast MPCs improve outcomes in heart failure

Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) said a single, low dose of its mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) was well tolerated and demonstrated potential signs of efficacy in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Results of a 30-patient trial have been published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. The trial was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and coordinated by the NIH-funded Cardiothoracic Surgical Trial Network (CTSN).

The multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial involved patients with end-stage or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV heart failure who have been implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Results show that MPCs were well tolerated. The injection was also associated with increased ability to maintain circulation without LVAD support. Half the MPC-treated group were weaned off an LVAD, compared to only 20% of controls.

The treatment was also associated with decreased rehospitalisation rates, lower rates of immunisation and alloensitisation, and a decreased mortality rate at the 90-day end point. At 12-month follow-up, survival rates of the treatment and control group were similar.

LVAD is the only option available besides heart transplant to patients with end-stage or class IV heart failure. But permanent LVAD use is limited by complications including risks of life-threatening infections and gastrointestinal bleeding.

The NIH and Mesoblast are evaluating using MPCs to improve heart-muscle function enough to remove the requirement for LVAD support. The investigators are planning more studies to evaluate the use of higher or additional doses of MPCs.

Mesoblast published the initial results from the trial in November last year.

Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) shares were trading 2.93% lower at $4.31 as of around 2 pm on Wednesday.