FDA approves embryonic stem cells to reverse macular degeneration

by:Admin

Sacramento is now the hub of stem-cell research focusing on regenerative medicine. See the article, UC Davis: Stem Cell Research. After receiving $62 million for stem cell research last year, the new UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures opened. And the center already is testing dozens of therapies in the laboratory. The center will bring 200 scientists and laboratory personnel together under one roof. Check out the UC Davis Stem Cell Institute. See UC Davis Stem Cell Program. And check out the site, UCDMC Stem Cell Research News.

Now that the FDA has approved embryonic stem cells today, to help reverse certain types of macular degeneration, consumers should know that the stem cell taken from an embryo does not destroy the embryo. Just a single stem cell is taken from the embryo. Then the embryo continues to thrive and is not destroyed.

California sites currently under consideration for the trials include the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and the Ophthalmology Department at Stanford University. Check out the government site listing clinical trials, Clinical Trials.gov.
Also, in the Sacramento and Davis regional area, did you know that the University of California is recruiting for or has completed at least 193 clinical trials on various types of health studies ranging from the health benefits of ground flax seeds to stem cell research? Also see the January 4, 2011 news article, Read: Vitamin Drug Could Stop Dry Macular Degeneration.

Concerning studies at another university on macular degeneration and stem cell research, if you're interested in stem cell research for macular degeneration, the breaking news is that the FDA has just approved the use of stem cells to treat certain types of macular degeneration. According to a January 4, 2011 news article, "FDA Approves Stem Cell Treatment Trial for AMD-Related Vision Loss," the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a clinical trial of human embryonic stem-cell treatments on patients who have suffered vision loss related to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Advanced Cell Technology of Massachusetts will begin a Phase I/II open-label study on twelve patients at multiple clinical sites to determine the safety and tolerability of the treatment. The dry version of macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in older adults. Dry age-related macular degeneration is one of two forms of an eye disease that breaks down retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the macula of the retina, a layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Progressive loss of RPE cells and the accompanying loss of photoreceptors can cause severe vision loss. There are no current treatments available for AMD.

Dry AMD is the leading cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 55, afflicting approximately 10 million people in the US. And as the population ages, according to the article, "FDA Approves Stem Cell Treatment Trial for AMD-Related Vision Loss."

In the clinical trials and approved experiments, patients will receive 50,000 to 2,000,000 RPE cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to replace those lost due to AMD. While human embryonic stem cell use is controversial, ACT maintains that their cells are derived from a single-cell extraction technology that “does not destroy the embryo.” Also read the article, Read: Smoking Raises Risk of Macular Degeneration.