Controlled Trial Shows Promise of Donated Stem Cells in Restoring Vision
A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine provides a deeper and clearer understanding of how patients suffering vision loss in both eyes due to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) might benefit from a stem cell transplant using donated cells.
DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine provides a deeper and clearer understanding of how patients suffering vision loss in both eyes due to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) might benefit from a stem cell transplant using donated cells. This is the first randomized, controlled study to investigate the safety and efficacy of this method, in which corneal epithelial stem cells procured from a deceased donor and expanded in the lab were transplanted in the patient's eye.
Of the 45 million people worldwide who suffer from bilateral blindness (that is, blindness in both eyes), the World Health Organization estimates more than 20 percent are due to corneal diseases. LSCD is considered one of the most severe and difficult of these to treat. The limbus, located at the junction of the cornea and sclera, provides a steady source of epithelial stem cells that keep the cornea healthy. If these stem cells are damaged or disrupted – often the result of chemical or thermal trauma, congenital defect or even wearing contact lenses for too long – LSCD might result. The lack of stem cell regeneration leads to severe vision loss, chronic pain and glare, among other symptoms.
Autologous limbal stem cell transplantation, which uses stem cells collected from healthy tissue in the patient's own eye, has been shown to be effective in treating LSCD when it is confined to one eye but is not practical for treating bilateral disease,. Several recent studies have focused on using allogeneic (donated) material for treating LSCD, but the results are unclear due to several variables in the studies and the fact that none contained a control arm against which results could be compared.
"We wanted to address that in our study," said co-investigator John Campbell, Ph.D., of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Edinburgh. "In doing so, we focused on the manufacture of allogeneic ex vivo expanded corneal epithelial stem cells on amniotic membrane using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as well as the safety and efficacy of this investigational medicinal product (IMP)."
The clinical trial was designed as a randomized, controlled and partially blinded phase I/II trial. "We hypothesized that the use of amniotic membrane, topical autologous serum eye drops and systemic immunosuppression may have therapeutic benefit," Prof. Campbell explained. "By this highly controlled design it was anticipated that the true contribution of stem cells in the IMP would be quantified."
Patients were divided into groups that received either corneal epithelial stem cells cultured on amniotic membrane (IMP) or control amniotic membrane only. They also received systemic immunosuppression. Of the 16 patients treated, 13 completed all assessments. When the trial ended after 18 months, no adverse reactions were attributed to the IMP itself. Nine of the 13 patients showed improvement in their visual acuity scores, with no statistically significant differences between the IMP and control groups. However, patients in the IMP arm demonstrated significant, sustained improvement in ocular surface score, while those in the control arm did not.
"This trial demonstrates that sustained benefit is achieved by the IMP in ocular surface disease compared with controls. That leads us to believe that this intervention warrants further study in larger sample sizes in a Phase III study," reported co-investigator Sajjad Ahmad, Ph.D., who during the time of the study was with St Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Professor Baljean Dhillon, chair of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh commented,"This is the first RCT in this field and sets the standard for multidisciplinary clinical trial design and delivery of cell-based therapeutics in regenerative ophthalmology."
New studies would also benefit from concentrating on a single disease group to eliminate some of the variables in this study, the researchers added. "In particular," Prof. Dhillon said, "our findings suggest some clinical relevance for aniridia patients. This is a genetic condition characterized by a malformed iris that greatly hampers vision. Further studies focused on how the IMP impacts aniridia-related keratopathy might shed new light on how we can best treat this blinding eye disorder."
"Lumbar stem cell disease can be a devastating disease leading to sight loss," said Anthony Atala, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. "This trial shows that sight improves and the treatment is safe. We look forward to seeing the long-term outcomes of this technology."
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The full article, "Allogeneic Ex Vivo Expanded Corneal Epithelial Stem Cell Transplantation: A Randomized Controlled
Clinical Trial," can be accessed at https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/sctm.18-0140.
About STEM CELLS Translational Medicine: STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM), co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley, is a monthly peer-reviewed publication dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices. SCTM is the official journal partner of Regenerative Medicine Foundation.
About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS® (http://www.StemCells.com), celebrating its 37th year, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. The Oncologist® (http://www.TheOncologist.com), also a monthly peer-reviewed publication, entering its 24th year, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. All three journals are premier periodicals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.
About Wiley: Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions, help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.
About Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF): The non-profit Regenerative Medicine Foundation fosters strategic collaborations to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine to improve health and deliver cures. RMF pursues its mission by producing its flagship World Stem Cell Summit, honouring leaders through the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Action Awards, and promoting educational initiatives.
SOURCE STEM CELLS
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