Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is a peripheral artery disease caused due to massive occlusion of blood flow to lower extremities. It is often associated with excruciating pain and leads to the development of skin ulcers or gangrene.
The five-year survival rate of Critical Limb Ischemia patients is 50 percent after initial diagnosis. For patients that fall into the extreme spectrum of Critical Limb Ischemia that cannot tolerate surgical intervention, limb amputation is the only treatment option. Cell-based therapies provide immense hope to promote wound healing and restore blood perfusion in treating Critical Limb Ischemia patients.
In recent clinical trials, Michael P. Murphy, MD and colleagues at Indiana University School of Medicine have successfully achieved blood perfusion restoration using intramuscular injection of endometrial regenerative cells (ERC) (NCT01558908) and autologous bone marrow aspirate (NCT01049919) in Critical Limb Ischemia patients. Based on these advancements, the Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering is engaged in collaborative efforts from basic scientists, bioengineers and vascular surgeons to develop novel cell-based therapies for Critical Limb Ischemia and related diseases.
Representative Publications