title: Stem cell-based treatment in geographic atrophy: promises and pitfalls.
abstract: Geographic atrophy is a common and untreatable form of advanced age-related macular degeneration. The degeneration primarily affects the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors of the retina and their restoration by cell transplantation seems attractive. Recently, a patient with geographic atrophy was the first human to receive cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. In this short review, the rationale, potential and obstacles for stem cell-derived therapy in geographic atrophy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretinal Diseases, St. Erik Eye Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kvanta
authors.forename: Monika K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Grudzinska
mesh_terms: D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D057092:Geographic Atrophy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
keywords: age-related macular degeneration; embryonic stem cells; induced pluripotent stem cells; photoreceptors; retinal pigment epithelium