Stem Cells (STEM) has announced the first patient to receive a high dose of one million purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC®) in their Phase 1/2 clinical trial. This followed an independent review by the Data Safety Monitoring Committee, which found no safety issues with proceeding to the high dose. The 16-patient trial is designed to evaluate the [Read More]
Category: Research and Developments
New Stem Cell Eye Treatment Study Beginning
(Updated March 12, 2017) MD Stem Cells has announced a new and extensive stem cell study to determine effectiveness of stem cells in ophthalmic disease. The company has been named collaborator for the new Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS), being conducted in Florida. Conditions eligible for the new study include retinal diseases such as age-related [Read More]
Statin Therapy Lowers Risk of Cataracts
by Dan Roberts Statin therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation in the retina, but there has been some concern about cataract development for those who use the drugs. In a press conference at the European Society of Cardiology meeting, Aug 30, 2013, John B. Kostis, MD (UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, N.J.) [Read More]
"As-Needed" Injections Are an Option for Wet AMD
Two-year results from the recently-completed HARBOR trial showed that some patients with wet AMD fare as well from Lucentis (ranibizumab) injections on an as-needed basis compared to a monthly basis. The original Lucentis trial recommended monthly dosing until the eye stabilized. The follow-up study, however, found that 93% of patients responded well with an average [Read More]
Lampalizumab Effective in Slowing Progression of Dry AMD
Roche Pharmaceutical has announced positive phase II results from their MAHALO phase II study of lampalizumab (aka anti-factor D). The study showed a 20.4 percent reduction in progression of advanced dry macular degeneration (geographic atrophy) at 18 months. Lampalizumab is designed to inhibit Complement Factor D, a protein that is part of the alternative complement [Read More]