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Regenerative Patch Technologies, a company developing stem-cell-derived treatments for people with retinal diseases, has reported encouraging results for the first five patients with advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) participating in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for its therapy – a patch comprised of a layer of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on a synthetic scaffold. The treatment is known as the California Project to Cure Blindness–Retinal Pigment Epithelium 1 (CPCB-RPE1).
One patient in the trial had visual acuity improvement of 17 letters (about 3 lines on an eye chart) in her treated eye. Three patients had vision maintained in their treated eyes. Two had improved fixation. One patient did not receive the patch due to debris underneath the retina. No evidence of safety issues with the treatment was observed.
The study investigators also reported anatomic improvements in the treated eyes. Imaging showed that the transplanted RPE cells integrated with photoreceptors, the cells that make vision possible.
In people with advanced AMD, RPE cells degenerate leading to loss of photoreceptors. RPE cells provide critical support functions – including nutrition and waste management – for photoreceptors. The RPE cells used in Regenerative Patch’s emerging therapy are derived from human embryonic stem cells.
The treatment’s scaffold mimics Bruch’s membrane, which breaks down in people with AMD. Also known as the blood-retina barrier, Bruch’s membrane works like a sieve to transport waste debris to, and nutrients from, the retina’s vasculature.
“People with advanced dry AMD have very limited options for saving or restoring their vision,” says Stephen Rose, PhD, chief scientific officer at the Foundation Fighting Blindness. “These early results from the California Project to Cure Blindness are good news for these patients. We look forward to learning more about the therapy as the trial moves forward.”
Initial results of the clinical trial were published online in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Authors of the paper include Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, at the University of Southern California (USC), developer of the Argus bionic retina; Amir Kashani, MD, PhD, surgeon at USC; and Dennis Clegg, PhD, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has been funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness to develop scaffolding for a therapeutic retinal patch in development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Steve is highly respected for his expertise and tireless commitment to finding treatments and cures for vision-robbing retinal diseases. 
As the Foundation's Senior Director of Communi- cations, Ben writes science and research articles for the Foundation’s website, newsletters and Eye on the Cure blog. 
Good job and keep the good work
This is amazing news! Would this procedure also possibly apply to a person who has lost vision in one eye due to retinal detachment and issues stemming from diabetes?
Hi Barbara, this clinical trial is only being completed for those with dry AMD at this moment.
Have any treatment or any solution for microopthtmia eyes
Hi Kamran, I would recommend visiting http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and searching for any recruiting trials for your specific disease. Best of luck!
Thanks for the effort
I would like tp enter your ” Retinal Patch Trial.
Kindly contact me with details.
Thank you,
Marsha Peckler
Hi Marsha, you can enroll in this trial by visiting their clinicaltrials.gov website here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692 You can contact any of the recruiting locations. Good luck!
This is wonderful news.Thank you.
When do you think this wonderful breakthrough will be available?
Hi Alice, unfortunately there’s no way of knowing an exact timeline, but this trial is still recruiting for those interested in participating. You find learn who to contact to participate here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
I have a genetic disorder which causes the rods and cones to degenerate . Is this treatment going to help people with my condition?
Hi Richard, this trials is currently only for patients with dry AMD. But we recommend searching for other clinical trials for your condition on http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Good luck!
Where can this be performed? My husband has
Dry AMD..
Thank you.
Hi William, there are multiple locations that are recruiting for this trial. You can find those locations and contact information by visiting: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
This is why we strongly support the Foundation. Such good news for the future. In addition to having dry AMD I can only communicate by using an electrolarynx. That is doable, but gradually losing my sight is devastating. I pray that the retinal patch will be available during my lifetime. Are the clinical trials being done anywhere in the East? Kurt
Hi Kurt, Thank you for your kind words and support of the Foundation. We recommend visiting http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and using the search tool to find recruiting trials in your location and for your specific disease.
I also have an inherited retinal dystrophy and am interested in possible participation in the clinical redial.
Hi Christina, this trial is currently not recruiting, but is active. You can find more information on the status of this trial here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
Will this trial be enrolling in nyc any time soon? My mom has AND with geographic atrophy.
Hi Ernesto, this trial is current not enrolling, but I would continue to check back on this website for updates. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
Thank you I will
I would be interested in trial please contact me
Hi Stan, this trial is active, but not recruiting at this moment in time. But feel free to check back on the website for the trial status here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
Very interested in retinal patch trial. Plesse contact me.
Hi Nabeel, this clinical trial is currently active, but not recruiting new participants. You can find the updated status of this trials here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
I was just diagnosed with it 6 months ago and it is still in it’s early stages, as confirmed just today by my Optometrist. I live in Canada and would be willing to enroll in a trial should one be available. My 91 year old father also suffers from the condition, should 2nd generation data be of value to the study.
Hi Michael, this trials is currently active, but not recruiting new patients. You can find more information about this trials on the clinicaltrials.gov website here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
I am writing on behalf of my sister who has macular degeneration. She was very excited to hear about this news and would like to participate the clinical trial. Please contact me through schen2001@gmail.com Thank you!
Hi Shanhiu, this clinical trials is currently still active, but not recruiting at this moment. Here’s the link to the webpage: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692 We recommend you check back to see when they’re recruiting new participants. You can also contact the locations on the page.