Stem-cell therapy shows promising heart recovery in a small Chinese trial
In a small 12‑month trial at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, 10 heart‑failure patients received stem cells derived from their own iPSCs and differentiated into heart muscle cells injected into diseased heart tissue, while 10 controls underwent bypass surgery. Nine treated patients showed significant heart‑function improvements at 12 months versus the control group, with better six‑minute walk test results and an increased ejection fraction on average. No severe adverse events were reported in the treated group, though two patients experienced tachycardia that resolved. One control patient died eight months after surgery. While promising, the study’s tiny size means larger trials are needed to confirm safety and benefit.