Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signalsClinical TrialEurope PMCOpen access

Cell-based therapies for retinal diseases: a review of clinical trials and direct to consumer "cell therapy" clinics

Hinkle JW., Mahmoudzadeh R., Kuriyan AE.

Clinical Trial with a reported sample of 70, published in Stem Cell Res Ther (2021) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

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Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signalsEvidence level of this study

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

  • 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
Read the A–D evidence level guide

This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Clinical Trial
Journal
Stem Cell Res Ther (2021)
Reported sample size
70
Source database
Europe PMC
PMID
34635174
PMCID
PMC8504041
DOI
10.1186/s13287-021-02546-9
Citations
32

Abstract (original English)

Background The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is implicated in the pathophysiology of many retinal degenerative diseases. This cell layer is also an ideal target for cell-based therapies. Several early phase clinical trials evaluating cell therapy approaches for diseases involving the RPE, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's macular dystrophy have been published. However, there have also been numerous reports of complications from unproven "cell therapy" treatments marketed by "cell therapy" clinics. This review aims to outline the particular approaches in the different published clinical trials for cell-based therapies for retinal diseases. Additionally, the controversies surrounding experimental treatments offered outside of legitimate studies are presented. Main body Cell-based therapies can be applied to disorders that involve the RPE via a variety of techniques. A defining characteristic of any cell therapy treatment is the cell source used: human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and human umbilical tissue-derived cells have all been studied in published trials. In addition to the cell source, various trials have evaluated particular immunosuppression regiments, surgical approaches, and outcome measures. Data from early phase studies investigating cell-based therapies in non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (70 patien

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

How we grade evidence
HumansRetinal DegenerationMacular DegenerationStem Cell TransplantationRetinal Pigment EpitheliumCell- and Tissue-Based Therapy

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