Age-related macular degeneration: The therapeutic potential of stem cells

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic degenerative eye condition with progressive and irreversible loss of central vision. Advances in the field of stem cell research have focused on the application of cell therapy in order to regenerate eye tissues that are damaged by this disease. Exudative AMD has anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and dry or atrophic AMD has no approved therapy available. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of stem cell use in the treatment of dry AMD through studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of experiments with intravitreal injections of mononuclear bone marrow fraction containing CD34 + cells. Methods: Literature review in articles between 2009 and 2017, using as basis the databases Scielo, PubMed and Lilacs. Results: Studies have shown that the use of intravitreal injections of mononuclear bone marrow fraction containing CD34 + stem cells is associated with significant improvement in visual acuity and macular sensitivity threshold. In addition, the absence of tumor growth, development of choroidal neovascularization, non-association with significant inflammation and non-impairment of visual function demonstrated the safety of therapy use. Conclusion: Advances in studies have shown that the use of cell therapy in atrophic AMD causes improved vision, providing better quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in new research to expand the tests and confirm if this treatment approach will be really effective and well tolerated. (author)