Ongoing Clinical Trials for Angina Pectoris
There are currently 3 clinical trials studying new treatments for angina pectoris, a condition marked by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. These trials are testing medications and gene therapies aimed at improving symptoms and quality of life for patients. The studies are being conducted in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Finland, and Denmark.
Clinical trial locations
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
Study on the Effect of Diltiazem on Angina in Patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction
This trial is investigating whether diltiazem hydrochloride can help patients who experience chest pain caused by problems with the small blood vessels in their heart, known as coronary microvascular dysfunction. Unlike typical angina where larger arteries are blocked, these patients have chest pain even though their major heart arteries are clear.
Who can join: Participants must be over 18 years old and have experienced chronic chest pain at least twice a week for the past three months, despite receiving medical treatment. They should have no significant blockages in their major coronary arteries, confirmed by testing within the last five years. Additionally, their initial tests must show at least one abnormal measure of heart blood flow, such as a coronary flow reserve of 2.0 or less, an index of microcirculatory resistance of 25 or higher, or an abnormal response to an acetylcholine test.
Who cannot join: Patients with a history of angina, those outside the specified age range, or individuals considered part of vulnerable populations are excluded from this study.
What the trial is testing: The study aims to determine if diltiazem can normalize the function of small blood vessels in the heart without causing other normal parameters to become abnormal. Success is measured by improvements in specific heart function tests including the Index of Microcirculatory Resistance and Coronary Flow Reserve. The trial will run until 2026 and will monitor patients for up to six months.
Study medication: Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the heart’s workload. In this trial, participants receive 120 mg modified-release tablets taken orally.
Study on the Effects of T89 and Glyceryl Trinitrate for Patients with Stable Angina
This trial is evaluating a medication called T89 for people with stable angina, a condition where chest pain occurs predictably with physical activity or stress due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Who can join: Adults between 18 and 90 years old with chronic stable angina classified as grade II or III according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society can participate. They must have a documented history of coronary artery disease and have experienced at least two angina episodes during the two-week period before the study begins. Participants must be on stable doses of certain heart medications for at least two weeks before starting. They need to complete two exercise tolerance tests before enrollment and agree to use effective birth control during the study.
Who cannot join: Patients with heart conditions other than chronic stable angina, those outside the specified age range, vulnerable populations, and those who don’t meet specific health criteria are excluded.
What the trial is testing: The study is a double-blind trial where participants are randomly assigned to receive either T89 capsules, nitroglycerin sublingual tablets, or a placebo. Researchers will monitor how long participants can exercise before experiencing symptoms, track the frequency of angina episodes, and record any side effects. The treatment period lasts approximately 8 weeks, from Day 1 to Day 57.
Study medication: T89 is an oral medication being investigated for its potential to reduce the frequency and severity of stable angina attacks. It is believed to work by improving blood circulation and oxygen supply to the heart muscle, though its exact mechanism is still being studied.
Gene Therapy Study for Severe Coronary Artery Disease Using AdsVEGF-D Delta N Delta C in Patients with Refractory Angina
This trial is testing an innovative gene therapy approach for people with refractory angina, a severe form of chest pain that persists despite optimal medical treatment and where traditional procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty are not possible.
Who can join: Participants must be between 31 and 85 years old and have significant chest pain despite receiving the best possible medication. They must have coronary artery narrowing of 60% or more shown on imaging within the last 12 months, and their condition must make standard revascularization procedures impossible due to widespread narrowing, complete blockages, or severe artery hardening. Participants need to experience chest pain during a 6-minute walking test and have a left heart wall thickness of at least 8 mm on ultrasound.
Who cannot join: People who have had recent heart attacks or strokes, those with severe heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe kidney disease, active infections, or cancer within the last five years (except certain skin cancers) cannot participate. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with allergies to study components, and those participating in other clinical trials are also excluded.
What the trial is testing: The study uses a gene therapy called AdsVEGF-D Delta N Delta C, which is delivered directly into the heart through a catheter. This therapy uses a modified virus to deliver the VEGF-D gene, which is intended to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart. Participants receive either the gene therapy or a placebo, and neither they nor the researchers know which treatment is given. The study monitors improvements in physical activity capacity and symptom changes through 6-minute walking tests and other assessments. The trial is expected to conclude by the end of 2027.
Study treatment: AdVEGF-D is a gene therapy that promotes the growth of new blood vessels through delivery of the VEGF-D gene. It represents a regenerative therapy approach for patients who cannot undergo traditional revascularization procedures.
Summary
These three clinical trials represent different approaches to treating angina pectoris. The first study focuses on coronary microvascular dysfunction using the established medication diltiazem, taking place in the Netherlands. The second trial evaluates T89, an investigational oral medication, across multiple Eastern European countries including Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania. The third study represents the most innovative approach, testing gene therapy for the most severe cases of refractory angina in Finland and Denmark.
Notably, the trials target different patient populations based on disease severity, from microvascular dysfunction to stable angina to refractory cases. While the first two trials test medications taken orally or sublingually, the gene therapy trial involves a single intracardiac injection. The geographic distribution shows concentration in European countries, with the T89 trial having the widest reach across four countries. All studies are expected to continue through at least 2026, with the gene therapy trial extending to 2027.