According to The New England Journal, a group of heart failure patients spontaneously recovered from the disease in an “unprecedented state” of Medicine.

Heart failure due to cardiac amyloidosis

Three of the men had heart failure due to cardiac amyloidosis, a buildup of toxic proteins in the heart called amyloids that make it hard for that organ to function properly.

A chronic and irreversible disease

The chronic disease worsens over time and is sometimes fatal, leading experts to characterize it as an irreversible condition.

Physical examinations reveal signs of recovery

Scientists from University College London (UCL) and the Royal Free Hospital conducted physical examinations of men aged 68, 76 and 82 after reports of an improvement in their symptoms.

Tests show disappearance of toxic proteins

Tests showed that some of the toxic proteins had disappeared from their hearts, which seemed to be recovering from the disease.

Promising evidence for antibodies

The team also found promising evidence for antibodies that specifically target these proteins.

Hope for new treatments

Medical professionals hope the findings will lead to new treatments for the disease. Lead investigator Prof Mariana Fontana from the Faculty of Medicine, University College London, said: “We have seen for the first time that the heart can improve with this disease. new methods of treatment.

Study examines condition caused by buildup of transporter protein

In the study, the researchers looked at a specific type of condition caused by a buildup of a transporter protein called transurethrin (TTR) in the blood. and transretin-induced cardiac amyloidosis (also called ATTR amyloidosis or ATTR cardiomyopathy).CM), is not well known due to potential underdiagnosis and underreporting.

Antibodies discovered in patients

The team studied the records of 1,663 patients with the disease after one of the men, aged 68, said his symptoms were improving. Two other cases of improvement were identified and confirmed using blood tests, scans and medical imaging techniques. The team found antibodies in three patients that specifically bind to ATTR amyloid deposits in human and mouse tissues in the lab.

Potential for reversal of the disease

The scientists said using these antibodies could help remove toxic proteins and possibly reverse the disease. Scientists led by Professor Julian Gilmour of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, are looking for a gene editing method that could stop the progression of cardiac amyloidosis.

Further research needed

The team said early test results suggest it could stop the progression of the disease. Professor Gilmour, who is also head of the University College London Amyloidosis Center at the Royal Free Hospital, explained: “It has not been established whether these antibodies cause patients to recover. However, our data suggest that this is very likely and there is potential for recovery. “Such antibodies can be found in the laboratory and used as a treatment. We are currently conducting further research, although this research is still in its early stages.”

Source

Source: Independent