Durham, NC (PRWEB) January 17, 2014
A new assessment tool is helping scientists determine which treatments might benefit patients with a type of eye disorder called limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). The tool, developed by researchers at University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and funded by the UKs National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at these institutions, has already shown that the majority of these patients can benefit in the short term from a stem cell transplantation and up to 30 percent are still experiencing better sight three years later, according to the study published in the current issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine.
LSCD is an eye disorder in which the stem cells responsible for forming the surface skin of the cornea are destroyed by injury or disease. This results in pain, loss of vision and a cosmetically unpleasant appearance. Many new treatments, including limbal stem cell transplants, are emerging for this condition but their effectiveness remains to be proven.
Assessing how well they perform has been severely hampered by the lack of biomarkers for LSCD and/or validated tools for determining its severity, said Alex Shortt, M.D., Ph.D., of University College Londons Institute of Ophthalmology and lead investigator in the study. In virtually all studies of limbal stem cell transplantation to date the clinical outcome has been assessed subjectively by the investigating clinician. This is clearly open to significant measurement and reporting bias.
His teams aims, then, were to design and test the reliability of a new tool for grading LSCD, to define a set of core outcome measures to use in evaluating treatments and to demonstrate the treatments impact on two common types of LSCD: a genetic disorder called aniridia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), an inflammatory disorder.
They began developing an assessment tool by paring down a list of clinical signs taken from previously published studies to four key LSCD indicators: corneal epithelial haze, superficial corneal neovascularization, corneal epithelial irregularity and corneal epithelial defect. A standardized grading plate was then produced for each of these parameters, ranging from normal to severe. They named their assessment method the Clinical Outcome Assessment in Surgical Trials of Limbal stem cell deficiency [COASTL] tool and validated its performance in 26 patients with varying degrees of LSCD.
Once they had the COASTL tool in place, they used it to evaluate treatment outcomes in 14 patients with aniridia or SJS. All had undergone a limbal epithelial transplantation (allo-CLET), using cells taken from a deceased donor, cultivated in the lab before being transplanted into the recipient.
The COASTL tool showed that following allo-CLET there was a decrease in LSCD severity and an increase in visual acuity up to 12 months post-treatment, but thereafter LSCD severity and visual acuity progressively deteriorated, Dr. Shortt said. However, despite a recurrence of clinical signs, the visual benefit persisted in 30 percent of aniridic and 25 percent of SJS patients at 36 months.
A reliable method of obtaining objective outcome data for surgical trials of limbal stem cell deficiency will greatly contribute to the effective evaluation of current and new treatments, said Anthony Atala, M.D., editor of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
The full article, Three-Year Outcomes of Cultured Limbal Epithelial Allografts in Aniridia and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Evaluated Using the Clinical Outcome Assessment in Surgical Trials Assessment Tool, can be accessed at http://www.stemcellstm.com.
See the original post here:
New Assessment Tool Shows Potential of Stem Cells in Restoring LSCD Patients’ Sight
- Day +22 [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2011]
- Milk Teeth Stem Cell Banking [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Adult Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Autism: A Proposal [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2011]
- Dr Omar Gonzalez [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2011]
- American Stem Cell Clinic Corporate Video [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Therapy News Coverage [Last Updated On: August 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2011]
- Dr Brothers, OD Part 2 Following Stem Cell Patients [Last Updated On: August 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2011]
- Dr Brothers, OD Part 1 Following Stem Cell Patients [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2011]
- Panama City Beach FL: First In-Clinic Adipose Stem Cell Procedure [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Type II Diabetes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- Dr. Andre Terzic - Smart Stem Cells [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant at Mayo Clinic 3 [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy: Pathway to the Clinic [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Mayo Clinic Study Shows Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Repair Heart [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Kansas' First In-Clinic Adipose Stem Cell Procedure [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Breast Augmentation with Autologous Stem Cells at Clinic DDr. Heinrich® [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Anna Deeter Testimonial for Fetal Stem Cell Treatment at EmCell Clinic [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- MediVet Canada performs the first In-Clinic Stem Cell Procedure [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- Embryonic Stem Cells From Skin: Making Old Cells Young [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- The Politics of Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- STEM CELL FOR KIDNEY FAILURE - MUMBAI.wmv [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cells and Cancer [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- ACT - Stem Cell Trial for AMD and Stargardt - Phase 1 [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Health Alliance - Breakthrough to Independence [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Professor waarschuwt tegen commerciële stamcelklinieken [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2011]
- Austin clinic to bank adult stem cells [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Dr. Gonzalez and his Integrative Medicine clinic in Mexico [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Cell Therapy Clinic EmCell [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- STEM CELL THERAPY FOR PARALYSIS, MUMBAI.wmv [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Clinic Embryos and Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Affordable Stem Cell Therapy in Guatemala (2hrs from Miami) [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- "Molly" - Before and After Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Mayo Clinic Regenerative Medicine Consult Service [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Houston veterinarian uses cutting-edge stem cell technology on dogs [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Ruby, Olsen Veterinary Clinic: Day 1 Stem Cell Procedure [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- A Dose of Reality on Alternative Stem Cell Treatments: What you don't know can hurt you [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- The Next Frontier in Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- stem cell trial for leading causes of blindness [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Better in Beijing. video 3 [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Ruby, Olsen Veterinary Clinic 30 Days after Stem Cell Treatment [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Drive New MS Study/Treatment [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- New stem cell procedure in BC for Ellie at the Kamloops Veterinary Clinic-April 26 [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Face Lift [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Bringing Stem Cell Cures to the Clinic: UC Davis GMP Facility [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Michigan Law on Stem Cells [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS patient) - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Fat Stem Cell Therapy Publication - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Public Symposium: The Stem Cell Promise: Moving to the Clinic - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Becoming a Blood Stem Cell Donor - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Stem cell vet treatment performed in Ontario - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- STEM CELLS TRANSPLANTATION - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Home Town Company has brought Stem Cell - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Bone Marrow Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- Endogenous Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Immune Control of Stem Cell Mobilization - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Utah's First In-Clinic Stem Cell Procedure - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- Medical tourism in Croatia - Smart Stem Cells by Dr. Andre Terzic, Mayo Clinic - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- reconstrutive nose surgery(nose job to revise),stem cell - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- Baby Elsa Blood and Bone Marrow Match Clinic - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- Panama City Beach, FL: First In-Clinic Adipose Stem Cell Procedure - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- India Trip - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- Man Cured of Arthritis Using Stem Cells at Clinic in Panama - Video [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2011]
- Fat Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis - Video [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2011]
- Amanda and Britney BCC Table Clinic 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2011]
- Using Your Own Fat Stem Cells For Arthritis, Sports Injuries and Autoimmune Disorders - Video [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell therapy for COPD -Real patient results, USA Stem Cells- Donald W. Testimonial - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Lgr5 Stem Cells and Cancer - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Dogs Recieve Stem Cell Treatment - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Dr. Steenblock's Office- STEM CELL Clinic - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2012]
- Reuben Before and after Stem Cell Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2012]
- My India Trip#1 Photos - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2012]
- Stem Cell Financing - Video [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2012]
- Stem Cell's in Sarasota by Regenerative clinic for Meniscus Damage. - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- StemCells, Inc. Announces Publication of Preclinical Data Demonstrating Its Human Neural Stem Cells Preserve Vision [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- Stoney Creek firm licenses stem cell technology [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2012]
- Bonita stem cell doctor's attorney quits, state hearing still scheduled [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- From the Avro disappointment to the gift of stem-cell research [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- $30 million donation from Boris family will help McMaster turn stem cell research into therapy [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Researchers make breakthrough in stem cell research [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]