Polymer based therapy could treat heart failure

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) and Sheba Medical Centre in Israel have developed a new therapy to treat heart failure and atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries and is estimated to cause 56 million deaths per year. The disease is caused by smoking, high blood pressure and high levels of blood cholesterol.

The disease begins when the cellular linings of arteries – the endothelium – are damaged, causing a build up of plaque formation. When endothelial cells become inflamed, they produce a molecule called E-selectin, which brings white blood cells to the area and causes plaque accumulation in the arteries.

The researchers have developed a biomedical polymer to prevent the build up of plaque and inflammation.  Professor Ayelet David, from BGU’s Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology said: “Our E-selectin targeting polymer reduces existing plaque and prevents further plaque progression and inflammation, preventing arterial thrombosis, ischemia, myocardial infarction, and stroke.”

The nano-polymer only targeted damaged tissue and has no side effects, unlike statins which are the leading medication for treating atherosclerosis. There are a number of treatment options for atherosclerosis but none currently reverse arterial damage or improve the heart muscle.

The polymer is in preclinical stage and has been tested on mice with positive results. The researchers treated atherosclerotic mice with four injections of the new biomedical polymer and tested the change in the arteries of the mice.

Professor David said they “were stunned by the results. The myocardial function of the treated mice was greatly improved, there was less inflammation and a significant decrease in the thickness of the arteries.”

The researchers also suggested that the polymer-based therapy could help people with diabetes, hypertension and other age-related conditions.

Jonathan Leor, professor of cardiology at Tel Aviv University said: “This is unprecedented. We achieved an adherence level similar to that of an antibody, which may explain the strong beneficial effect we observed.”

The researchers are now seeking a pharmaceutical company to bring the polymer therapy through to the next stages of drug development.