August 5, 2004 - Gene Therapy with Hepatocyte Growth Factor Is Used to Stimulate New Blood Vessel Growth in Patients with Arterial Occlusive Disease

Researchers at JVC have used a new form of gene therapy, called plasmid-linked hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), to stimulate new blood vessel growth in patients facing amputation due to blocked arteries in their lower extremities.

The basis for this new compound stems from the fact that the liver is the only organ in the human body that can regenerate itself. Regeneration depends upon new blood vessel growth. The liver cells have been used to purify a growth factor for blood vessels. This therapy is designed to genetically modify the blood cells in the lower extremity to stimulate new blood vessel growth.