Therapeutic angiogenesis for treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is characterized by compromised circulation to the limbs. Currently, PVD is treated conservatively and the first-line options include therapy with pain medication and "anti-thrombotic" drugs to prevent blood from clotting. Nonsurgical interventions such as angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy provide alternative treatment modalities. However, in the case of severe symptoms and with progressive deterioration, surgical interventions such as bypass surgery, atherectomy and even amputation may be necessary. Despite major advances in these areas, PVD is challenging, and difficult to manage with the current surgical and conservative medical approaches. In some cases, even short-term results in treated patients with advanced stage disease remain unsatisfactory. Indeed, there is a great clinical need for new treatment options that may stimulate collateral blood vessel growth, increase vascularity and improve skeletal muscle function.