Stem Cells for Retinal Disease

This trial tests whether CD34+ stem cells from bone marrow can safely aid individuals with permanent vision loss from certain retinal diseases. The goal is to determine if injecting these cells into the eye is safe and feasible. Individuals who have experienced vision loss for over three months due to conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, and have worse vision in one eye, might be suitable candidates. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in humans, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative therapy.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be on immunosuppressive therapy.

Research has shown that using CD34+ stem cells from bone marrow to treat eye diseases is generally safe. Studies have found that this type of stem cell therapy is well tolerated when injected into the eye. In earlier tests, patients with eye conditions did not experience any serious side effects after receiving the treatment. These studies primarily aimed to assess the safety and practicality of the treatment, and the results were promising. Although this is early research, the consistent findings suggest that the treatment does not cause major side effects and is considered practical.¹²³⁴⁵

Unlike the standard treatments for retinal diseases, which often focus on slowing vision loss through medications or procedures like laser therapy, CD34+ bone marrow stem cells offer a regenerative approach. These stem cells have the potential to repair and regenerate damaged retinal tissue, tackling the root cause of vision impairment rather than just managing symptoms. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it taps into the body's natural healing processes, offering hope for more effective, long-term restoration of vision.

Research shows that injecting certain stem cells from bone marrow into the eye may help people with retinal diseases. Previous studies have found this method possible and safe for patients with conditions like age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. In this trial, participants will receive CD34+ bone marrow stem cells to repair damaged parts of the eye, potentially improving vision or preventing further deterioration. Early results primarily focus on safety, but the concept is that these stem cells can repair the eye's cells. More research is needed to confirm its effectiveness, but the underlying science is promising.¹²³⁴⁶