First iPSC trial--of stem cells made from skin--is for macular degeneration

[montrel]

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The world's first induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) trial launched in September. A woman blinded by "wet" age-related macular degeneration received retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) that were made thusly: her skin cells were reprogrammed into pluripotent cells. The pluripotent cells were differentiated, using growth factors, into RPEs. A sheet of these RPEs were transplanted into one of her retinas. The trial was launched under the auspices of Riken, a prestigious Japan insitute. Nobel Prize winning iPSC creator Shinya Yamanaka has overseen the planning.

http://www.dddmag.com/articles/2014/10/japan-starts-world-first-stem-cell-trial-plans-more

 

[MstaKing10]

How are these stem cells delivered?
The ACT trial has shown some interesting results. Safety is the primary concern. Not sure I would qualify this as the first stem cell trial, that's a bit misleading as the ACT trial pre-dates this although they used embryonic stem cells. I think a stem cell trial here in the states will be approved soon.