Novel CALEC Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Chemical Burns
Key Points:
- A new stem cell therapy known as CALEC transplant has been safely performed on four patients with serious chemical burns in a phase I clinical trial.
- During the 12-month trial, the patients showed promising early clinical gains.
- Two of the patients were able to undergo a corneal transplant as a result of the therapy.
- Two other patients reported significant improvements in their vision without requiring any additional treatment.
- The CALEC procedure involves extracting a small amount of stem cells from a healthy eye, growing and expanding those cells on a graft, and then transplanting them into the damaged eye.
Hot take:
This groundbreaking CALEC stem cell therapy brings new hope in the treatment of chemical burns for patients. Not only was the procedure performed safely, but the early clinical gains seen in the trial are extremely promising. The ability to restore vision and even enable corneal transplants through this method highlights the potential of stem cell therapies in addressing serious eye injuries. As research continues, we may witness even more remarkable advancements in the field of regenerative medicine.
Original article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230818153120.htm