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A World’s First! Stem Cell Transplant Restores Sight to Three Individuals
This breakthrough brings new hope to approximately 12.7 million people worldwide suffering from corneal-related visual impairments.
According to Science Alert, the study, recently published in The Lancet, shows no significant safety concerns over a two-year follow-up period post-surgery, with patients’ corneas notably regaining transparency. The trial involved four patients diagnosed with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a condition that causes scarring on the cornea.
The research team explained that the cornea acts as the “transparent window” at the front of the eye, while the limbus, akin to a window frame, is rich in stem cells that constantly renew aging corneal cells. This process functions like the eye’s “automatic wiper,” maintaining clear vision. When limbal stem cells are damaged, blindness may gradually ensue.
Currently, the standard treatment for single-eye corneal damage involves transplanting corneal tissue from the patient’s healthy eye. However, if both eyes are damaged, patients rely on donors. Yet, only one in 70 patients in need of a corneal transplant can receive one, and even then, the risk of rejection remains.
The key to this breakthrough lies in the use of iPSC technology. The research team reprogrammed blood cells from healthy donors back into a state similar to embryonic stem cells. These cells were then induced to develop into corneal epithelial cell sheets, which were transplanted into patients’ eyes after scarring was removed. Finally, protective contact lenses were placed over the treated areas.
The study showed that within seven months post-surgery, all four patients experienced vision improvement. The most notable outcomes were seen in a 44-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man. However, a 39-year-old woman with severe vision impairment experienced vision deterioration again after one year. The research team suspects this may be related to immune responses, as the patient only used steroids and not immunosuppressive drugs.
“This is the world’s first successful transplantation of iPSC-derived cells into human corneas,” the Osaka University Hospital research team stated. While the preliminary results are encouraging, the technology remains experimental, requiring further studies to assess its safety and efficacy. The team is already planning multi-center clinical trials to further validate the potential of this groundbreaking therapy.
Source: https://health.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/4862901