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Author Spotlight: Advancing Vision Restoration - Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases
Published on: October 6, 2023
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Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Nil Irem Ucgun1, Cenk Zeki Fikret2, Mualla Sahin Hamurcu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|March 20, 2024
Summary
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy improved vision in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Deep subtenon injections of bone marrow-derived stem cells enhanced visual acuity and visual field, with no adverse effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
Background:
- Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive inherited condition leading to severe vision loss.
- Current treatments for retinitis pigmentosa are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for retinitis pigmentosa.
- To assess the impact of stem cell treatment on visual acuity and visual field.
Main Methods:
- 27 patients with retinitis pigmentosa received deep subtenon injections of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
- Ophthalmological examinations, OCT, visual field tests, VEP, and ERG were performed pre-treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in visual acuity (logMAR), visual field (dB), and ganglion cell layer thickness (microm).
- Significant enhancements in Pattern VEP amplitude and ERG latency were noted post-treatment.
- p < 0.001 for visual acuity, p = 0.005 for visual field, p = 0.003 for ganglion cell layer, p = 0.013 for VEP, p = 0.02 for ERG.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy shows positive effects on visual function in retinitis pigmentosa patients.
- Deep subtenon injection is a viable administration route for stem cell therapy in this condition.
- No systemic or ophthalmic side effects were reported during the 6-month follow-up.
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