Stem Cell based cure for blindness?

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In summary, British scientists have developed a stem cell therapy that can cure age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness. This treatment involves replacing damaged cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells, and it is predicted to become a routine procedure in six or seven years. Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical research company, will be providing financial backing to bring this therapy to patients. However, recipients will be required to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives if embryonic stem cells are used. The eye, along with other immune-privileged sites in the body, may be particularly suited for this type of treatment due to the immune system's limited function in these areas.
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Coin
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From the UK's Sunday Times:

BRITISH scientists have developed the world’s first stem cell therapy to cure the most common cause of blindness. Surgeons predict it will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years’ time.

The treatment involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells. It was pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital.

This week Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical research company, will announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.

The treatment will tackle age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness.
 
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I'm not surprised that Pfizer is interested in the therapy. Recipients will be required to take Pfizer's anti-rejection drugs the rest of their life if embryonic stem cells are used.
 
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We have several areas of our bodies that the immune system appears to be incapable of function. These are called immune-privileged sites, and include the eye, brain, ovary and testis.
You can read more about it here.
www.mai-journal.com/interviews/streilein.pdf[/URL] -
 
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  • #4
hypatia said:
We have several areas of our bodies that the immune system appears to be incapable of function. These are called immune-privileged sites, and include the eye, brain, ovary and testis.
You can read more about it here.
www.mai-journal.com/interviews/streilein.pdf[/URL] -[/QUOTE]Yep! Eyes appear particularly situated in the body's defense structure. If you develop Rhabdomyoscarcoma, the only approved treatment (at least when I was producing instructional materials for the ophthalmologists) was ennucleation (surgical removal of the affected eye) and the doctors would tell the patient to wrap his or her affairs up very quickly because 6 months from then, they would be dead. Never far off the mark, IMO.
 
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  • #5
hypatia said:
We have several areas of our bodies that the immune system appears to be incapable of function. These are called immune-privileged sites, and include the eye, brain, ovary and testis.
You can read more about it here.
www.mai-journal.com/interviews/streilein.pdf[/URL] -[/QUOTE]

Interesting...although the brain does have immune cells (macrophages), so I wouldn't claim that immune-privileged sites do not have a functioning adaptive immune system. There's also the innate immune response to consider.

Cartilege would also be interesting to look at- there's no blood supply.
 
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1. What is stem cell based cure for blindness?

Stem cell based cure for blindness is a treatment that uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged cells in the eye, potentially restoring vision in individuals with certain types of blindness. Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to develop into different types of cells in the body, making them a promising tool for treating various diseases and conditions.

2. How does stem cell based cure for blindness work?

The process of stem cell based cure for blindness involves harvesting stem cells from either the patient's own body or a donor, then growing and differentiating them into the specific type of cells needed to repair the damaged tissues in the eye. These cells are then transplanted into the eye, where they can integrate and potentially restore vision.

3. What types of blindness can be treated with stem cell based therapy?

Stem cell based cure for blindness has shown potential in treating certain types of inherited retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease, as well as age-related macular degeneration. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in treating other forms of blindness.

4. What are the potential benefits of stem cell based cure for blindness?

The potential benefits of stem cell based cure for blindness include the possibility of restoring vision in individuals with currently untreatable forms of blindness. It also has the potential to slow or stop the progression of certain degenerative eye diseases, potentially preventing further vision loss.

5. What are the potential risks or drawbacks of stem cell based cure for blindness?

One potential risk of stem cell based cure for blindness is the possibility of rejection or complications from the transplanted cells. Additionally, there is a concern about the long-term effects and safety of the treatment, as it is still a relatively new and developing field. There is also the ethical consideration of using embryonic stem cells for this type of therapy. Further research and regulation are necessary to address these potential risks and concerns.

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