Therapeutic angiogenesis for patients with no-option critical limb ischemia by adipose-derived regenerative cells: TACT-ADRC multicenter trial

Background Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) still have a high rate of lower limb amputation, which is associated with not only a decrease in quality of life but also poor life prognosis. Implantation of adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) has an angiogenic potential for patients with limb ischemia. Objectives We investigated safety, feasibility, and efficacy of therapeutic angiogenesis by cell transplantation (TACT) of ADRCs for those patients in multicenter clinical trial in Japan. Methods The TACT-ADRC multicenter trial is a prospective, interventional, open-labeled study. Patients with CLI (Fontaine class III–IV) who have no other option for standard revascularization therapy were enrolled in this study. Thirty-four target ischemic limbs of 29 patients were received freshly isolated autologous ADRCs implantation. Results The overall survival rate at a post-operative period and at 6 months follow-up was 100% at any time points. As a primary endpoint for efficacy evaluation, 32 limbs out of 34 (94.1%) were free from major amputation for 6 months. Numerical rating scale (from 6 to 1) as QOL score, ulcer size (from 317 mm 2 at to 109 mm 2 ), and 6-min walking distance (from 255 to 369 m) improved in 90.6%, 83.3%, and 72.2% patients, respectively. Conclusions Implantation of autologous ADRCs could be safe and effective for the achievement of therapeutic angiogenesis in the multicenter settings, as a result in no major adverse event, optimal survival rate, and limb salvage for patients with no-conventional option against critical limb ischemia. TRN : jRCTb040190118; Date: Nov. 24th, 2015.