DCM

TCR peptides have been recently shown to improve cardiac function in several species with dilated cardiomyopathy. 

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of several heart diseases in dogs.  Various etiologies are thought to contribute to canine DCM including nutrition, environment, infection, genetics, and toxic exposure.  Recent human and veterinary medical research has strongly implicated the immune system as a contributing factor in DCM and congestive heart failure (CHF), including a shift of lymphocyte subpopulations associated with cardiac diseases.  Myocardial immune cell infiltration, systemic cytokine alterations, and changes in lymphocyte populations are associated with DCM and/or CHF. 

In several laboratory animal studies, IMULAN’s T-cell receptor peptides have demonstrated partial restoration of cardiac function and tissue integrity in diseased hearts.  These studies indicate that DCM and/or CHF can be treated by immunological intervention, and more particularly T-lymphocyte modulation using TCR peptides. 

Canine Data: Dilated cardiomyopathy is a life limiting condition in dogs, often affecting large breed dogs.  Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy often have rapid progression into congestive heart failure.  The TCR peptides have shown the ability to restore cardiac function in mouse models of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).  Recently, IMULAN has completed a small pilot study for treatment of dogs with DCM.  Dogs had progressive DCM and were stable on all other medications.  Dogs were monitored by echocardiography and shown to have significant improvements in Left Ventricular Fractional Shortening (LVFS; p=0.016) and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF; p=0.031) at 90 days.  The data also revealed a 24% increase in Stroke Volume Index (SVI).

How does the procedure work in dilated cardiomyopathy?  The procedure has been shown to alter cells that signal for cardiac remodeling, collagen deposition, and collagen cross-linking.  It is suspected that activation of regenerative cells may also be involved, which cells may facilitate cardiac muscle repair.