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Catheter-delivered stem cells to the macula in patients with geographic atrophy evoked response
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 Michael A. Samuel |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Three serious adverse events were reported in a phase 1b study of 12 patients with advanced geographic atrophy undergoing a surgical technique that delivers mesenchymal stem cells via catheter to the macula.
"First and foremost, this was a safety study," Michael A. Samuel, MD, said, while delivering the "broad strokes" of the study's interim results at Retina Subspecialty Day preceding the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
"The surgical procedure is difficult, and it's not something we're used to," he said, "...but we've learned many things, and we've refined the surgery."
The surgical technique employs a lighted catheter (iScience) that passes through a choroidotomy and delivers stem cells to the targeted area.
There was a clinical response in that half the patients in the study had "very substantial improvement in vision," he said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Samuel has financial interests in Stem Cell Organization, a division of Centocor R&D, and iScience Interventional.