Gene therapy to prevent dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack
Translating post-infarct ventricular tachycardia mechanisms into a therapy
Testing a gene-based heart treatment to lower the risk of life‑threatening ventricular tachycardia in people who have had a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247941 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops a gene-based approach delivered to the outer surface of the heart using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to change electrical behavior in scarred heart tissue. The team targets proteins (KCNE3 and KCNE4) that create uneven recovery of heart cells and also tests genes that can slow or speed conduction to interrupt the abnormal circuits that cause ventricular tachycardia. Researchers use laboratory and animal models and specialized epicardial 'gene painting' techniques to achieve full‑thickness delivery to the damaged region of the heart. The goal is to translate those preclinical results into a therapy that could one day be offered to people after a heart attack who are at risk for scar‑related VT.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have had a myocardial infarction and who have scar‑related ventricular tachycardia or are judged at high risk for VT due to infarct borderzone scarring.
Not a fit: Patients without post‑MI scar‑related ventricular arrhythmias, with primary electrical disorders unrelated to infarct scarring, or who are not eligible for epicardial interventions may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce or eliminate deadly ventricular tachycardia and lower the risk of sudden cardiac death after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Related gene‑transfer approaches have shown promise in preclinical (animal and lab) studies, but human applications for preventing scar‑related VT remain experimental and novel.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donahue, J Kevin — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Donahue, J Kevin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.