Proteomics and Stem Cell Therapy as a New Vascularization Strategy

Twenty-five CLI patients with ischemic forefoot rest pain, non-healing forefoot ulceration, or dry forefoot gangrene will be recruited. They will have already undergone standard of care evaluation, including hemodynamic testing and duplex ultrasound delineation of the arterial anatomy in the Non-invasive Vascular Laboratory. Those with tibial artery occlusive disease, with normal or corrected proximal aorto-ilio-femoral arterial anatomy, will be given the option of enrollment in lieu of surgery or catheter revascularization.

The standard vascular assessment data will be reviewed: History and Physical (H&P) examination, vascular laboratory hemodynamic data (arterial duplex imaging, ankle and toe pressures), and blood tests (complete blood cell count, metabolic and lipid panel, hemoglobin A1C if diabetic). Carotid duplex scan, chest X-Ray, electrocardiogram, chemical cardiac stress test, and echocardiogram will be reviewed if available. While angiography by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography(CT) or catheter may be available, they are not required. Data obtained from in-clinic use of LUNA fluorescence angiography may also be collected, but is not necessary. To emphasize, all ultrasound, x-ray, CT, MRI and LUNA fluorescence data may be collected since imaging is the standard of care for patients being evaluated for peripheral vascular disease, but no specific imaging is required and no imaging is being studied as part of this protocol.

PPCD use will continue until the presenting symptoms resolve or traditional revascularization becomes necessary to achieve limb salvage. Each patient serves as his/her own control. Three "pairs" of blood specimens will be analyzed per patient. A "pair" includes phlebotomy prior to and immediately after two hours of PPCD. The first pair is obtained on enrollment in the study. The second pair will be done 2 weeks later 18-24 hours after the last dose of G-CSF. The third pair will be done 30 days into the study, 18-24 hours after the last dose of G-CSF. The patient will return for standard of care clinical evaluation, with repeat hemodynamic testing, 6 months after the 30 day clinic evaluation.

Case Report Forms (CRFs) will be prepared for each subject. Progression of ischemic symptoms will result in discontinuation of participation in the trial and immediate standard of care treatment, including imaging studies and revascularization, if indicated. Otherwise the status of the presenting forefoot symptoms (ischemic rest pain, ischemic ulcers, and gangrene) will be documented at Day 1, Day 14, and Day 30. Ischemic rest pain will be scored (1 to 10 scale). Pain free walking distance will be measured. Forefoot ischemic lesions will be photographed and dimensions recorded on enrollment.

Baseline visit (Outpatient Care Center):

• Patents will undergo standard of care H&P examination.
• Upon verification that the patient is eligible (based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria), an informed consent form will be explained to the patient to better explain the study and ask for authorization to participate.

Baseline visit (Non-invasive Vascular Ultrasound Laboratory):

• Other standard of care tests will include: duplex ultrasound (DUS), ankle and toe pressures, if not yet completed prior to the clinic visit.

Day1 (Clinical Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago): The following procedures will be done in this order:

• Initial blood draw (20 ml)
• Patients then will wear the PPCD in seated position (2-hour session).
• After the 2-hour use of the PPCD, another blood draw will be done (20 ml).
• Each patient will be given a Neupogen shot (10 mcg/kg) subcutaneously
• Patient will be given ample time to fill out the quality of life (QOL) questionnaires (SF36, EQ5D, VascQoL-6) and a study coordinator will be available at this time to assist the patient. Each questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to fill out.
• Blood samples will be sent to the Dr. Bartholomew, MD Lab for analysis.

Days 4, 7, 10, and 13 (at Home or in clinic): The following procedures will be done:

• Nurse or PI will administer a Neupogen shot (10 mcg/kg) subcutaneously, every 3rd day, for a total of 10 Neupogen shots. Patient will continue use of the PPCD every day, at least 3 hours a day, till symptoms are resolved.

Day14 (Clinical Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago): The following procedures will be done in this order:

• Initial blood drawing (20 ml), 18-24 hours after the 5th shot of Neupogen. Blood samples will be sent to Dr. Bartholomew Lab for biochemical analysis.
• Patients will then wear PPCD for 2 hours in seated position.
• Just prior to the end of the 2-hour use of the PPCD, another blood draw will be done (20 ml).
• Patient will return the empty vials of Neupogen.
• Patient will be given ample time to fill out the quality of life (QOL) questionnaires (SF36, EQ5D, VascQoL-6) and a study coordinator will be available at this time to assist the patient. Each questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to fill out.

Day30 (Clinical Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago): The following procedures will be done in this order:

• Initial blood drawing (20 ml), 18-24 hours after the 10th shot of Neupogen. Blood samples will be sent to Dr. Bartholomew Lab for biochemical analysis.
• Patients will then wear PPCD for 2 hours in seated position.
• Just prior to the end of the 2-hour use of the PPCD, another blood draw will be done (20 ml).
• Patient will be given ample time to fill out the quality of life (QOL) questionnaires (SF36, EQ5D, VascQoL-6) and a study coordinator will be available at this time to assist the patient. Each questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to fill out.
• Patient will return the empty vials of Neupogen.

Monthly Follow-up (Clinical Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago):

• After the completion of the initial 30 day treatment period, the patient will follow-up in clinic at 1 month intervals for ongoing clinical assessment. The patient will continue using the device alone daily until wounds are healed and forefoot rest pain has resolved.
• At 6 month visit, the patient will fill out QOL questionnaires. Each patient will be followed for a total of 6 months. Repeat hemodynamic testing will occur in our Intersocietal Accreditation Commission certified non-invasive ultrasound laboratory at the 6 month visit.

Unscheduled visits and early termination:

• Enrolled subjects will be given the contact information for the principal investigator so that they can have access to the study organizers should any questions or concerns arise at home in-between clinic visits. Patients wishing to terminate their enrollment in the study can contact the principal investigator in the same manner.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female between the ages of 35 and 85.
• Chronic limb ischemia Fontaine Class III (ischemic forefoot rest pain) and Class IV (non-healing ischemic ulcers, gangrene) with confirmatory non-invasive vascular testing.
• English or Spanish speaking patients

Exclusion criteria

• Acute limb ischemia requiring emergency treatment.
• Non-salvageable foot (e.g. extensive gangrene, advanced infection, rigor mortis, knee/hip flexion contracture, post-stroke paralysis, and hemiparesis).
• Untreated hypercoagulability disorder, sickle cell anemia, myeloproliferative disorder.
• Dialysis, and/or sustained elevated Creatinine >3.6 mg/dl.
• Severe dementia; bed-ridden; non-compliance; unlikely to follow-up; unreliable.
• Intolerance of PPCD compression
• Morbid obesity (Body Mass Index > 34)
• Severe venous insufficiency causing venous stasis ulceration and dermatitis.
• Uncorrected significant aorto-iliac, common femoral, and profunda femoral arterial disease
• Ulceration precluding PPCD placement.
• Active cancer.
• Allergy to Neupogen.
• Uncorrected symptomatic coronary artery disease
• History of lymphoma or leukemia