Posts Tagged ‘ stem cells ’
Novel Technique Using Stem Cells Revives Damaged Eye
Treating blindness caused by burns using limbal stem cells harvested from the undamaged eye of the same patient has now become cheaper, easier and safer. Results of a pilot study of the SLET (simplified technique of limbal transplantation) technique conducted at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute on six patients, and published recently in the British Journal of Ophthalmology provides the proof.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 12: Updated Table of Company Participants
When I first wrote about stem cells in ophthalmology in September 2010, I was able to identify six companies participating. Since then, and with the help of a few friends, I can now identify eleven companies using stem cells to treat ophthalmic diseases. Since I believe access to knowledge is very important, here is my revised table of companies using stem cells in treating ophthalmic diseases.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 9: First Patients Treated
As I reported back on June 16th, Advanced Cell Technology had enrolled the first two patients in its 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 company announced today that these first patients had now successfully received their first dose of the stem cells.
New Human Embryonic Stem Cell Study For Dry AMD And Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy
Two patients have been treated using RPE (retinal pigment epithelial) cells derived from hESCs (human embryonic stem cells) in two Phase 1/2 clinical trials for dry age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's macular dystrophy, Advanced Cell Technology Inc. has announced.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 7: Research Studies with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Suggest Opposite Results
Two research studies were published this week, about the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in treating retinal problems, but with opposing results.
In one study, published in Nature, Dr.Yang Xu and his colleagues at the University of California, San Diego, found that iPSCs made from mouse skin cells were rejected by genetically identical mice (Similar studies with iPSCs, also published in Nature earlier this year, also showed problems, including genetic and epigenectic abnormalities).
In the second study, Dr. Brad Tucker and his colleagues at the Schepens Eye Research Institute used iPSCs derived from skin to regenerate large areas (Read more...)
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 6: Stemedica Paper Accepted for Presentation at ARVO
I recently received an update from my contact at Stemedica and would like to share the information with you. A safety study on the use of stem cells in the eye, in a clinical study underway at the Fyodorov Federal Institution of Eye Microsurgery in Moscow, to treat diabetic retinopathy and diabetic optical neuropathy with stem cells derived from bone marrow, has been accepted for presentation as a poster at the upcoming ARVO Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale at the beginning of May. An abstract is shown below.
ACT files IND application to initiate Phase I/II study for Dry AMD
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced today that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase I/II multicenter study using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to treat patients with Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD).
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 3: ACT Files IND to Treat Dry AMD
Furthering its lead in stem cell research in ophthalmology, Advanced Cell Technology Inc., announced today that it had filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to initiate a Phase I/II multicenter study for the treatment of dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (dry AMD) using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.
Stargardt Disease To Be Treated With Embryonic Stem Cells in Trial Initiated by Advanced Cell Technology
Earlier this week, Advanced Cell Technology’s request to begin treating patients with Stargardt disease (also known as fundus flavimaculatus) with embryonic stem cells in a clinical trial was approved by the FDA. This will be the second trial using human embryonic stem cells. The first being granted to Geron to treat spinal cord disease.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 2: ACT Gets Go-ahead to Treat Stargardt’s
As I noted in my September report on the Use of Stem Cells in Ophthalmology, it was anticipated that either the program at The London Project to Cure Blindness or Advanced Cell Technology’s program to treat Stargardt’s disease would be the first to get the go-ahead to begin approved human trials. I have not heard any news out of London, but earlier this week ACT received notification from the FDA that it was cleared to begin its human trials with human embryonic stem cells.
UCI scientists receive CIRM grants to improve stem cell treatments
UC Irvine scientists will receive grants totaling $9.35 million to help create stem cell treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, Huntington's disease and traumatic brain injury.
A Primer on the Use of Stem Cells in Ophthalmology
I recently came across an interesting news release from International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) announcing that it had formed a new business unit, Cytovis, to focus on stem cell programs in ophthalmology, including CytoCor for the cornea and CytoRet for the retina. [...] I decided to become better informed by taking a closer look at what was happening in this field, and presenting that story.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology — An Update: AstraZeneca Joins the Fray
As reported by The Guardian (UK), AstraZeneca and University College London (UCL) have announced a research partnership, to develop medicines that use stem cells to repair damaged eyesight in people with diabetes. Under the three-year partnership, funded by the drugmaker, researchers from AstraZeneca will team up with scientists at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to work on new medicines that use the regenerative capacity of stem cells. They hope to come up with a compound in three to five years, which could then undergo clinical development and possibly be on the market in 10 years' time.
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