Stem cell trial treats eye conditions

Patients treated with stem cells for two eye conditions in the US have experienced positive results during initial trials.

Data published in The Lancet this week showed positive long-term safety results for 18 patients with Stargardt’s macular degeneration (SMD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported ophthalmology firm Advanced Cell Technology. The company’s proprietary retinal pigment epithelium cells were used in the study, it said.

Paul Wotton, president and chief executive officer of Advanced Cell Technology, said: ‘Our findings underscore the potential to repair or replace tissues damaged from diseases. We plan to initiate comprehensive phase two clinical trials for the treatment of both AMD and SMD, two disease states where there is currently no effective treatment.’