Authors
Berhan Keskin, Beytullah Cakal, Aykun Hakgor, Atakan Dursun, Aysel Akhundova, Umeyir Savur, Ozlem Onder, Haci Murat Gunes, Ibrahim Oguz Karaca, Bilal Boztosun
Published in
Regenerative medicine. Pages 1-8. Aug 24, 2026. Epub Aug 24, 2026.
Abstract
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) and their exosomes represent potential regenerative approaches for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This pilot study evaluated a combined UC-MSC-derived exosome and UC-MSC treatment strategy in HFrEF.
Ten male patients received intracoronary exosomes (20 × 109 particles) followed by two intravenous UC-MSC infusions (1 × 106 cells/kg) at one-week intervals. Echocardiographic parameters, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) scores were assessed longitudinally using linear mixed-effects models.
LVEF increased at 3 months (β = 4.45%, p = 0.003), 6 months (β = 5.35%, p < 0.001), and 1 year (β = 4.66%, p = 0.002). Left ventricular dimensions decreased significantly at 6 months and 1 year. Log-transformed NT-proBNP decreased significantly only at 6 months (β = -0.54, p = 0.033), while KCCQ-12 scores did not change significantly. No treatment-related serious adverse events were identified; one patient developed transient pulmonary congestion.
The combined strategy was feasible and associated with modest improvements in cardiac function and ventricular dimensions. Given the small, uncontrolled pilot design, these findings are exploratory and do not establish efficacy or safety. Larger randomized controlled studies are required.
PMID:
42638332
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 25 Aug 2026.
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