Rapid release drug delivery systems as treatments for myocardial infarction

Research Description

Healthcare professionals perform 1.2 million surgical and stenting procedures annually to treat heart attacks in the United States, yet, despite medical intervention, one third of treated patients still develop heart failure within 5 years of treatment initiation. Drugs, such as the cytokine SDF-1α, show promise in reversing tissue scarring after a myocardial infarction (MI) and lead to lower instances of heart failure in animal models. However, such medications work best if provided immediately following a MI, because early coagulative necrosis begins just hours after an ischemic event. Moreover, targeting the heart via a subcutaneous injection or a pill is difficult, as demonstrated through biodistribution studies. Here we propose the development of a localized drug delivery system that provides the controlled infusion of macromolecular drugs directly into heart tissue.

Research Team

William Hiesinger, M.D., Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery & Surgical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Prof. Zhenan Bao, K.K. Lee Professor of Engineering and Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering Stanford University

Robyn Fong, Life Science Research Professional

Alex Abramson, Ph.D., postdoc in Bao Lab in Chemical Engineering, Stanford University

Rohan Shad, M.D., Hiesinger Lab in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University