Cardiac Myxoma
Cardiac myxoma represents the second most common benign primary cardiac tumor after papillary fibroelastoma and is infrequent. It is sporadic and familial, as in the case of Carney complex syndrome. Protheragen is the pioneer and leader in accelerating the discovery and development of drugs targeting rare cardiovascular diseases. We specialize in offering complete research services, from beginning to end, specifically tailored for cardiac myxoma.
Introduction to Cardiac Myxoma
Cardiac myxoma remains an infrequent tumor, and its actual incidence is not well known. It is noted that in the general population, the frequency of surgically resected specimens is described as 0.5-0.7% per million population, the prevalence of the disease is less than 0.05/100, and between 0.0017% and 0.03% in postmortem series. The embolization, triad of intracardiac obstruction, and systemic symptoms are the usual presentations of cardiac myxoma, which vary based on size, mobility, and location.
Fig.1 Existing theories on cardiac myxoma development. (Ashinze, P., et al., 2024)Pathogenesis of Cardiac Myxoma
Myxomas arise as thrombi or blood clots that become dysplastic and can form tumor-like masses. Based on this, chronic cellular stress might induce endothelial cells that cover a thrombus to transform into abnormal cell growth, as well as the excretion of myxoid stroma. In familial cases, certain genetic mutations, like the PRKAR1A gene (which is found in the Carney complex), are highly implicated.
Fig.2 Therapeutic strategies being explored for cardiac myxomas. (Nenna, A., et al., 2022)Therapeutics Development for Cardiac Myxoma
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corticosteroid | Dampening inflammation is linked to tumors and may slow progression in certain instances. | Glucocorticoid Receptors | Approved |
| Everolimus | It inhibits mTOR, impacting cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis just like sirolimus does. | mTORC1 | Preclinical |
| Imatinib | Inhibit particular kinases, which will block critical signal transduction pathways needed for cell proliferation as well as cellular life sustenance. | BCR-ABL, c-KIT, PDGFRA/B | Preclinical |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a therapy plan recommendation. For guidance on therapy options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Protheragen offers high-end diagnostics development services, including biomarker discovery and validation, to increase early and precise diagnosis. Within therapeutics, we have target validation, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and mechanism of action studies services. In addition, we generate and develop strong disease models and perform comprehensive preclinical pharmacokinetic and drug safety studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of new drug candidates. This one-stop-shop approach streamlines the research process, saving time on research and speeding up the work toward further trials.
Therapeutic Development Services
Diverse Platforms
Animal Model Development for Cardiac Myxoma
Animal models serve as a biological platform to investigate the mechanisms of myxoma development, progression, and related complications. Gaining insight may reveal new areas for treatment intervention. Understanding the problems posed by uncommon heritable heart diseases, we offer customized animal model creation services for cardiac myxoma. We have a dedicated team of professionals who will collaborate with you to design and create bespoke animal models tailored to your research requirements.
Genetically Engineered Animal Models
Genetically engineered animal models provide the ability to precisely control gene expression, thus enabling the study of particular mutations or associated pathways involved in the development of cardiac myxomas.
Optional models: Prkar1a knockout model, other models.
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Safety Research Services
Due to our integration services that ensure a seamless transition from any stage of the drug development pipeline, Protheragen is the partner you can trust to help solve your gaps in rare cardiovascular drug development. Let us assist you with our unmatched scientific expertise and accelerate your multidisciplinary projects. Want more information? Get in touch with us.
References
- Ashinze, Patrick, et al. "Cardiac myxomas: a review of current treatment approaches and emerging molecular therapies." The Cardiothoracic Surgeon (2024): 32.
- Nenna, Antonio et al. "miRNAs in Cardiac Myxoma: New Pathologic Findings for Potential Therapeutic Opportunities." International journal of molecular sciences 23.6 (2022): 3309.
For research use only, not for clinical use.