Stem cell therapy hope for blind

Published on Saturday 18 April 2009 23:45

BRITISH scientists are reported to have developed the world's first stem cell therapy to cure the most common cause of blindness.

Surgeons have predicted that the treatment for age- related macular degeneration (AMD) will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years.

The procedure involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells.

It has been pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital. Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical research company, will this week announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.

The condition AMD, the most common cause of blindness, affects more than 500,000 Britons and the number is forecast to increase significantly as people live longer.

Under the new treatment, embryonic stem cells are transformed into replicas of the missing eye cells. They are then placed on an artificial membrane, which is inserted in the back of the retina.

Tom Bremridge, chief executive of the Macular Disease Society, said: "This is a huge step forward for patients. We are extremely pleased that the big guns have become involved, because once this treatment is validated, it will be made available to a huge volume of patients."

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into all types of body tissue. Their use is controversial, however, as it involves the destruction of human embryos.

Laboratory trials completed by the British team have demonstrated that stem cells can prevent blindness in rats with a similar disease to AMD. They have also successfully tested elements of the technology in pigs. A clinical trial involving human patients is due within two years.

Pfizer's role is crucial in bringing production of the membranes to an industrial level.