Therapy with embryonic cells suffer the blind patients

American scientists will test stem cell therapy in patients who lost their sight, according to AFP. Clinical studies of a new method of treatment will hold a group of specialists in California biotech company Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) under the leadership of Bob Lanzhou (Bob Lanza).

Scientists plan to use embryonic stem cells to treat makulodifstrofii Shtargardta - a hereditary disease, which manifests itself in childhood and is accompanied by retinal lesions in the macula. Permission to conduct the first phase of clinical trials has given the Office of Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

When makulodifstrofiya Shtargardta affected cells of pigment epithelium retina. Consequently, in patients there is a destruction of photoreceptors, which leads to loss of vision even in adolescence. The researchers intend to introduce stem cells into the retina of patients, to replace her damaged epithelium.

The effectiveness of this method was confirmed in experiments on laboratory animals. In particular, specialists ACT have achieved 100 per cent recovery of visual function in rats with macular degeneration. Almost completely restored vision in patients with mice. There was no documented side effects of introducing stem cells into the retina.

In the first phase of clinical trials, scientists test the safety of a new method of treatment. In these studies will be attended by 12 patients with advanced macular degeneration Shtargardta. Upon successful completion of the first phase of the effectiveness of stem cell therapy will be evaluated in trials involving patients with children....
Listen
Read phonetically