A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of Multi-intravenous Infusion of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction (PRIME-HFrEF) Trial: Rationale and Design
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Background And Objective: The use of mesenchymal stem cells for heart failure treatment has gained increasing interest. However, most studies have relied on a single injection approach, with no research yet confirming the effects of multiple administrations. The present trial aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of multi-intravenous infusion of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Methods: The PRIME-HFrEF trial is a single-center, prospective, randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of multi-intravenous infusion of UC-MSCs in HFrEF patients. A total of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for HFrEF were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to the MSC group or the placebo group. Patients enrolled will receive intravenous injections of either UC-MSCs or placebo every 6 weeks for three times. Both groups will be followed up for 12 months. The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of serious adverse events. The primary efficacy endpoint is a change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by left ventricular opacification (LVO) with contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 12 months. The secondary endpoints include a composite of the incidence of death and re-hospitalization caused by heart failure at the 12th month, serum NT-proBNP, growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST), and a change of right ventricular structure and function.
Conclusions: The PRIME-HFrEF study is designed to shed new light on multiple UC-MSC administration regimens for heart failure treatment.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: Promising therapy for heart failure.
Li Y, Chen E, Ren B World J Cardiol. 2025; 17(1):101153.
PMID: 39866217 PMC: 11755126. DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v17.i1.101153.