Stem Cells!

As previously mentioned, I have begun researching stem cells as part of my research project to be published my Medlink. At the end of January there was a media upsurge on reports about stem cells; this came as a result of stem cell trials in the US reported that two patients had showed positive improvements as a result of their treatment; they both had retinal stem cells injected into the back of the eyes, behind the retina. The trials were initially devised in order to test the safety of stem cells, although the results were more positive than they could have envisaged! Both patients showed no signs of ‘normal proliferation, teratoma formation, graft rejection, or other untoward pathological reactions or safety signals.’ The Advanced Cell Technology company told the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16700394). Although the trial was testing safety, the fact that the patients’ vision had improved was impossible to ignore! One of the patients was an elderly woman with ‘macular degeneration’ which is the leading cause of blindness in the world. This results in a loss of vision in the centre of the visual field, known as the ‘macula’, and can also effect contrast and colour vision, which is caused by damage to the retina; no known cure has been found to this condition, apart from high doses of antioxidants which are able to slow the degeneration process (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macular_degeneration). The other patient, who is in her fifties was suffering from Stargart’s disease (macular dystrophy), which is a hereditary form of macular denegeration, but is essentially the same (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=62582). The improvements in vision caused improvements to their lives – the New Scientist reported that her independence had been increased as a result of being able to use her watch and computer, things which we take for granted! (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21387-blindness-eased-by-historic-stem-cell-treatment.html)

Across the Atlantic, here in the UK, trials of a similar nature have been undergoing at Moorfield’s eye Hospital in Central London. Obviously it is important to consider that the results are not conclusive and currently it is unclear whether the results are indeed as positive as they seem, or whether they where a result of the immunosuppressive drugs used, or the placebo effect. The trials will now continue, and so time will tell as to what effect stem cells are likely to have on the future!

Stem cells excite and inspire me – looking to the future, it is likely that stem cells will play a larger and larger role in medical practice, and may become highly prominent by the time I qualify as a doctor!