netbook
desktop
mobile
tablet-landscape
tablet
phone-landscape
phone
Research to Prevent Blindness

Study Tests Stem Cell-based Therapy for Advanced Dry AMD

RPB-supported researchers and physicians at the University of Southern California (USC) Roski Eye Institute have collaborated with other California institutions to show that a stem cell-based retinal implant is feasible for use in people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a press release by the Institute. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine.

A photo of the implant used in the study.

 

Photo credit: Britney O Pennington, PhD

The treatment, which consists of a layer of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells on an ultrathin supportive structure, was implanted in the retina of four patients by a USC Roski Eye Institute surgeon. The patients were followed for up to one year to assess its safety and the treatment was well-tolerated. There was also evidence that the implant integrated with the patients' retinal tissue, which is essential for the treatment to be able to improve visual function.

Amir Kashani, MD, PhD, lead author and surgeon for the study, in his lab.

 

Photo credit: Richard Carrasco, Keck Medicine of USC

As part of the study, the research team also performed a preliminary assessment of the therapy's efficacy. One patient had improvement in visual acuity, which was measured by how many letters they could read on an eye chart, and two patients had gains in visual function, which was measured by how well they could use the area of the retina treated by the implant.

"Our study shows that this unique stem cell-based retinal implant thus far is well-tolerated, and preliminary results suggest it may help people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration," says coauthor and lead inventor of the implant Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD, director of the USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, co-director of the USC Roski Eye Institute, affiliate principal investigator with the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC and university professor of ophthalmology at the Keck School.

Read the full ARticle from USC here

Related News: Feature Story, Macular Degeneration, Stem Cell Therapy, Top Story

RPB Logo

Vision Research Funding Partnership Event Takes Place Today

Leaders of organizations that fund vision research convene in Washington DC to increase collaboration and maximize the impact of research funding for sight-threatening diseases.

Read More

 
Dr. Raj Apte

Understanding Corneal Injuries in Dry Eyes

An RPB grantee makes a key discovery involving genes that are essential for eye health.

Read More

 
RPB logo

Research to Prevent Blindness Marks $400 Million in Funding to Advance Eye Disease Research

RPB funds a new round of researchers and hits a milestone in supporting vision-related breakthroughs.

Read More

 
Giving Tuesday logo

RPB Supporters Save Sight on Giving Tuesday

We welcome your generosity to help us meet our goal!

Read More

 
Dr. Palczewski and lab members

An RPB Awardee Tackles Inherited Retinal Diseases

Dr. Krzysztof Palczewski develops and applies cutting-edge gene editing techniques to challenging genetic conditions.

Read More

 
Dr. David Calkins

RPB and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Announce 2023 Recipient of RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research

David J. Calkins, PhD, is recognized for ground-breaking contributions to the field of vision research.

Read More

 

Subscribe

Get our email updates filled with the latest news from our researchers about preventing vision loss, treating eye disease and even restoring sight. Unsubscribe at any time. Under our privacy policy, we'll never share your contact information with a third party.