Using Stem Cells to Treat Dry AMD and Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy

June 23, 2011

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Irv Arons

Advanced Cell Technology announced recently that it had enrolled the first patients in its two Phase I/II clinical trials, using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from embryonic stem cells (hESCs) for treating Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD) and for the treatment of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD). The first of twelve patients in each trial were enrolled at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

The two patients will be treated with immunosuppressants  for about a week before the RPE cells will be implanted.

To read the full announcement, follow this link.

 

 

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Filed in Industry News, Macular Degeneration, New Technologies, Retina, Stem Cell Therapies
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5 Responses to “Using Stem Cells to Treat Dry AMD and Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy”

  1. Cheri Fults on July 14th, 2011 1:57 pm

    I have a severe case of dry eye. How can I be a part of the stem cell trial?

  2. Irv Arons on July 14th, 2011 3:59 pm

    Cheri, the trial is for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, not for dry eye.

  3. Irv Arons on July 15th, 2011 4:56 pm

    In reference to the lead story — the first two patients have now been treated (as of July 12th). My story about this should appear in this space shortly.

    However, if you can’t wait, here is the link: (tinyurl.com/ophthstemcells-update9)

  4. Anthony on October 10th, 2011 8:03 am

    Hi, I have heredity macular degeneration, I’m a 37 year old, caucasian, male with light green eyes. I know that light eyed people are more likely to get this disease. I heard of a place in Germany that does 4 day Stem Cell treatments. Is this type of treatment done in the USA? Can you please help me.

  5. Irv Arons on October 10th, 2011 3:05 pm

    Anthony,

    Don’t waste your money going to Germany — most of those places that advertize are hoaxes. The first legitimate program to use stem cells for AMD is about to start in England. Here’s a link to the story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904563904576586610655509784.html?mod=rss_Health

    Irv Arons

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