Peripheral Arterial Disease

Our knowledge of cells, extracellular factors and signaling pathways orchestrating angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and vasculogenesis have greatly advanced since the first report describing angiogenesis in 1971. Early studies of angiogenic factor treatment yielded promising preclinical studies, which led to the investigation of cell therapies and angiogenic factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the clinical setting for the past two decades. Though early trials have provided evidence for clinical safety and bioactivity, a positive Phase 3 pivotal trial has yet to be conducted in the field. This chapter describes the clinical findings of cell therapy and angiogenic factors for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, and discusses new approaches and insights into effective modulation of vascular response to ischemia for the treatment of peripheral artery disease.