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THE MAGNIFIER Issue #34, August 26, 2005
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
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Should Stem Cells Be Used for Treating Eye Diseases?
From Marilyn Haddrill,Your Guide to Vision
"Stem cell research into possibly reversing blinding eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa,
and diabetic retinopathy involves the use of blank or master cells that assume characteristics of surrounding living tissue where they are transplanted. Research has shown profound possibilities for inserting stem cells to
grow and take the place of permanently damaged human tissue.
Eye Stem Cell Controversies: Controversy regarding this technique centers on traditional uses of human embryonic tissue that opponents argue represents a
potential human life killed in the name of scientific research or therapy.
One of the newest breakthroughs in stem cell research and vision involves successful implantation of eye stem cells from human cadavers into the eyes
of chicks and mice.
Research reported by the University of Toronto at the National Academy of Sciences in fall 2004 showed that human stem cells developed into appropriate light-sensitive (photoreceptor) cells within the
animals' inner back portion of the eye (retina) where images are processed. In other words, normal animal eyes were formed in part from human stem cells. This finding indicates that the opposite scenario might be true, in
that stem cells harvested from animals might be transplantable into damaged human retinas, where new tissue might grow to restore sight.
Eye Stem Cells Harvested From Adults: Other stem cell research now also
indicates that stem cells might be effectively harvested from adult humans, rather than from human embryos. The Schepens Eye Research Institute (Harvard) has reported studies showing that adult stem cells have the ability to
transform into retinal cells.
These findings have major implications for common and often blinding retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa."
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Stem cell sponsor sees veto-proof Senate backing
Last Updated: 2005-08-01 10:01:17 -0400 (Reuters Health) By Susan Cornwell
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An expansion of federally funded
embryonic stem cell research could pass the U.S. Senate with a veto-proof margin now that the chamber's leader backs the idea, a leading sponsor of the effort said on Sunday. But it may be harder getting the super-majority
needed to override a possible presidential veto in the House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said. Specter said the decision last week by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to defy President Bush
and support legislation liberalizing the administration's policy on stem cell research had given the effort a "big boost" in Congress.
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THE PROMISE OF STEM CELLS
Readers Digest * August 2005 * Re-engineering Your Body * Dan Ferber, PhD
Despite the continuing debate over stem cells, doctors have actually been giving them to patients for more than two decades. They enable bone-marrow
transplants to replenish blood and immune cells in patients with leukemia, lymphoma and rare blood diseases. Stem cells are useful because they're youthful, vigorous, immature, and have the potential to mature into blood, nerve,
heart and other tissues. In the past decade, scientists have discovered stem cells that transform into a variety of other tissues. Clinical trials using a variety of adult stem cells are underway to treat injured knee
tissue, a variety of cancers and, soon, Lou Gehrig's disease. But they grow rapidly, and no one is sure they won't turn into cancer cells after a decade or more in the body. So for now, they're being used only in the sickest
patients.
The most versatile and controversial stem cells come from days-old human embryos in the freezers of in vitro fertilization clinics. These cells can mature into any of the body's 200 or so cell types.
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New Drug Hopes To Stall Macular Degeneration
WBAL Channel 11 Baltimore,MD
POSTED: 11:34 am EDT August 1, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS --
There is new hope for people who have lost
their sight from a common eye disease. Doctors have learned that a new drug shows promising results in curing macular degeneration. As the disease progresses, the center of vision develops blind spots, and in it's final
stages, macular degeneration can lead to blindness. "It's just a miracle, really, it really is and I'm tickled to death," Dwight Smith said after he agreed to test the drug Lucentis when doctors diagnosed his wet
macular degeneration.
The effects of the disease make it look like a small back spot is blocking your vision. The spot grows and distorts your view. Two years ago, Smith's right eye tested 20-200 -- legally
blind. "A car could have been a truck, a truck could have been a train as far a seeing anything ... you know, just distorted everything you have," he said. But now after monthly injections, Smith is 20-30 in
that eye. His wife, Patty, said, "He reads the newspaper and drives and everything is just back to normal and it's just unbelievable that that could happen." Ophthalmologist Dr. Thomas Ciulla is one of the lead
clinical trial investigators trying to find a cure for a problem which impacts one in four people over the age of 75.
"Macular degeneration is really one of the major public health problems in our country. There are
many baby boomers that are going to develop this and it's a huge threat to their independence," Ciulla said. "So I think having a drug that not only limits vision loss but also restores vision is going to have a
tremendous impact in our society." In the trial, the drug Lucentis is injected monthly.
"A lot of people are hoping this is going to be the next blockbuster," Ciulla said. "We can actually
improve their vision, restore their sight, which is really a new paradigm shift for this disease." FDA approval is expected in early 2007.
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CONTACTING MDF
To speak to a support representative directly, you may call 1-888-633-3937. If you reach our voice mail, please speak slowly and distinctly.
ORDERING BOOKS & TAPES
When purchasing items from Amazon.com,
please remember to use the MDF search box located at http://www.eyesight.org/Books/books.html . By simply originating your search from our website, Amazon rewards the Foundation with a small commission from each product you
order. Thank you.
MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS:
Please make checks payable to Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, Nevada 89053, or you may use your credit card on our web site
http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html . Your contributions make our services available as a support system for macular degeneration patients in the following ways:
1. We provide toll-free lines for personal contact assistance.
2. We mail brochures and other printed materials upon request.
3. We support an award-winning web site that provides the latest up-to-date information.
4. We
fund research proposal grants to provide therapies for both the wet and dry form of AMD. Contributions marked "research" are used 100% for research.
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MDF was founded
in 1992 by Edmund J. Aleksandrovich Ph.D (a victim of macular degeneration). It provides MD patients and their families with the information necessary to understand the disease, the latest news concerning ways to cope with
the disease, and supports the efforts of researchers to find a cure.
Subscribers who wish to cancel their subscription or change their email address may visit: http://www.eyesight.org/Newsletter/newsletter.html .
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