title: Stem cell therapy for glaucoma: science or snake oil?
abstract: In recent years there has been substantial progress in developing stem cell treatments for glaucoma. As a downstream approach that targets the underlying susceptibility of retinal ganglion and trabecular meshwork cells, stem cell therapy has the potential to both replace lost, and protect damaged, cells by secreting neurotrophic factors. A variety of sources, including embryonic cells, adult cells derived from the central nervous system, and induced pluripotent stem cells show promise as therapeutic approaches. Even though safety concerns and ethical controversies have limited clinical implementation, some institutions have already commercialized stem cell therapy and are using direct-to-consumer advertising to attract patients with glaucoma. We review the progress of stem cell therapy and its current commercial availability.
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: yuanye9940@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waisbourd
authors.affiliation: Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iacovitti
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: L Jay
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
keywords: glaucoma; neuroprotection; retinal ganglion cell; stem cell; trabecular meshwork