Two Patients Treated For Eye Diseases With Embryonic Stem Cells

The Los Angeles Times  (7/14, Hernandez) “Booster Shots” blog reported, “After more than 20 years of research, doctors at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute have begun treating the first patients in clinical trials for two progressive eye diseases that cause blindness: dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt’s macular dystrophy.” On Tuesday, two “patients were given an injection of specialized eye cells that were derived from embryonic stem cells.” Both “patients are said to be recovering without complications.”

The Washington Post  (7/14, Stein) “The Checkup” blog reported that the study was sponsored by Advanced Cell Technology. “The Food and Drug Administration in November approved the company’s plans to test cells created from human embryonic stem cells on 12 patients suffering from each condition. Each patient will undergo a procedure in which between 50,000 to 200,000 retinal pigmented epithelial cells created from human embryonic stem cells will be injected into their eyes.” Investigators “hope the cells will replace those ravaged by the diseases.” Previous research in rat models indicated that some vision was restored.