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In developed nations, atrophic (“dry”) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt macular dystrophy are leading causes of blindness among adults and children, respectively. Attempts to transplant adult retinal pigmented epithelial cells to halt progression of or to cure these diseases generally have been unsuccessful.
A multicenter U.S. team reports that it created retinal pigment epithelial cells from human embryonic stem cells. Nine adults with AMD and nine with Stargardt macular dystrophy each received transplants of these cells into the subretinal space of one eye, with the other eye left untreated as a control. Patients were placed on 12-week immunosuppressive regimens and were followed for a median 22 months. Visual acuity im…