Stem Cell Transplant Shows Safety Promise for Wet AMD Treatment

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in the elderly population. Wet AMD, though less common than the dry form, is responsible for 90% of AMD-related blindness due to abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula, leading to fluid leakage, bleeding, and retinal damage.

While early-stage wet AMD can be managed with anti-VEGF injections to inhibit new blood vessel growth, these treatments are often ineffective in advanced cases where vascular damage has already occurred.

A new study, led by Yong Liu and colleagues from Third Military Medical University Southwest Hospital, China, and published in Stem Cell Reports, explores a novel approach combining surgical intervention and stem cell transplantation as a potential solution for these patients.

Stem Cell-Based Approach to Retinal Repair

In a clinical study involving 10 wet AMD patients, researchers developed a two-step treatment strategy:

       1. Surgical removal of abnormal blood vessel patches in the macula.

       2. Transplantation of stem cell-derived retinal cells to replace damaged or lost retinal tissue.

Encouraging Clinical Outcomes

       • Patients who underwent complete removal of blood vessel patches experienced improved retinal structure, indicating successful cell transplantation and retinal repair.

       • Visual acuity remained stable or improved in these patients over a 12-month follow-up period, with limited side effects reported.

       • Patients with only partial removal of blood vessel patches faced persistent bleeding, inflammation, and incomplete retinal regeneration, leading to no significant vision improvement.

These findings suggest that complete and safe removal of abnormal blood vessels is critical for preventing inflammation and ensuring stem cell transplant success.

Future Directions in Wet AMD Treatment

While these early results highlight a promising alternative treatment for advanced wet AMD, further large-scale clinical studies are required to confirm:

       • Long-term safety and efficacy of the stem cell transplant approach.

       • Potential improvements in surgical techniques for better transplant integration.

       • Broader applications of this method in other forms of retinal degeneration.

As research progresses, this stem cell-based therapy could become a viable option for patients with advanced wet AMD, offering hope for vision restoration where conventional treatments fall short.

Reference:

https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(25)00028-1