Assessing "Cell Therapy" Clinics Offering Treatments of Ocular Conditions using Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Websites in the United States.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Purpose "Cell therapy" is becoming increasingly available to the public via online direct-to-consumer advertisement within the United States (U.S.). The current study investigates the scope of "cell therapy" clinics across the U.S. that advertise and offer "cell therapy" for ocular conditions based on information provided on their websites. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants The study included companies that are U.S.-based, participate in direct-to-consumer online marketing, have websites that can be data-mined with content analysis, and advertise therapy for ocular conditions. Methods Using a systematic, extensive keyword-based Internet search, content analysis of company websites was utilized to identify, document, and analyze U.S. businesses marketing "cell therapy" for ocular conditions as of September 16, 2017. Main outcome measures Clinic locations, source of stem cells used, route of administration, marketed ocular conditions, and cost of treatment. Results Forty companies with 76 clinics use "cell therapy" to treat ocular conditions. California (23), Florida (12), and Illinois (10) contain the most clinics. All 40 companies specified sources of cells, which included autologous adipose-derived stem cells (35; 67%), autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells (8; 15%), amniotic stem cells (2; 4%), peripheral blood-derived stem cells (2; 4%), umbilical cord blood ste

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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