title: Current status and future prospects for cultured limbal tissue transplants in Australia and New Zealand.
abstract: Cultured limbal tissue transplants have become widely used over the last decade as a treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). While the number of patients afflicted with LSCD in Australia and New Zealand is considered to be relatively low, the impact of this disease on quality of life is so severe that the potential efficacy of cultured transplants has necessitated investigation. We presently review the basic biology and experimental strategies associated with the use of cultured limbal tissue transplants in Australia and New Zealand. In doing so, we aim to encourage informed discussion on the issues required to advance the use of cultured limbal transplants in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, we propose that a collaborative network could be established to maintain access to the technology in conjunction with a number of other existing and emerging treatments for eye diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane; Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane.
authors.forename: Damien G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Harkin
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Apel
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Girolamo
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Daniell
authors.forename: J Jane
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGhee
authors.forename: Charles N J
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: McGhee
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D009520:New Zealand; D016730:Program Development; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000639:trends*; D014019:Tissue Donors