Researchers report data for Baxter's stem cells

Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine reported data from two Phase II trials of autologous hematopoetic CD34+ stem cells from Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) to treat critical limb ischemia (CLI) and angina. In 28 patients with late-stage peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and CLI, the cells injected into eight locations in the ischemic limb led to a significant 50% reduction in the total amputation rate vs. placebo at 12 months. At six months, 42% and 22% of patients receiving low- and high-dose stem cell therapy experienced a minor or major amputation vs. 75% for placebo (p=0.02 for the combined treatment groups vs. placebo). ...