Cell therapy shows exciting potential for keratoconus
Dermot McGrath
Published: Monday, June 18, 2018
Corneal stromal enhancement based on cell therapy seems to be safe and effective and may prove to a potentially exciting new therapy for the treatment of keratoconus and other corneal dystrophies, according to Jorge L. Alió MD, PhD, speaking at a special session on corneal disease at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Barcelona.
“Based on our results, we believe that adipose‐derived adult stem cells can be a cell source for stromal regeneration and repopulation in diseased corneas. This is a new type of corneal surgery, the beginning of a new approach for the treatment of corneal stromal diseases such as keratoconus,” said Dr Alió.
The ADASC technique, which consists of implantation of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into corneal stroma, has been successfully tested in the first human trials in five patients with advanced keratoconus.
In the trial, stem cells were obtained from the adipose tissue of each patient via liposuction. Once the cultured cells were prepared, a 9.5-mm diameter intrastromal pocket was created using a femtosecond laser with the patient under topical anaesthesia. The surgeons then used a cannula to transfer over 1 million cells through the pocket into the stroma.
“At one year the corneal transparency was very good and some corneal scars continue to improve. The visual condition also improved in most cases, with stable keratometry and corneal thickness. Confocal microscopy showed a significant increase in cells and no complications were reported,” said Dr Alió.
To confirm these early results, a multicentre clinical trial of the pioneering technique sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Health is currently being conducted.
Tags: keratoconus
Latest Articles
From Lab to Life: Corneal Repair Goes Cellular
Long-awaited cellular therapies for corneal endothelial disease enter the clinic.
Balancing Innovation and Safety
Ensuring access to advanced cell therapies amid regulatory overhaul.
With Eyes on Its Future, ESCRS Celebrates Its Past
Winter Meeting offers opportunities to experiment with new concepts and formats.
Best of ESCRS Winter Meeting 2024
Following the New Generation
EDOF IOLs an option for eyes with mild comorbidities, showing potential in mini-monovision strategies.
Refocus on Multifocals
Trifocal IOLs continue to improve as consensus grows regarding indications and contraindications.
Common Myths in Presbyopia Correction
Patient education key to satisfaction with refractive IOLs.
Reversible Multifocality
Two-lens combination offers low-risk spectacle independence for cataract patients and presbyopes.
Managing a Cataract Surgery Refractive Miss
Weighing the pros and cons of options for intraocular intervention.
Unleashing OCT’s Full Potential
Performance of newest tool for corneal evaluation meets or beats older standard technologies.