by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
A team led by researchers from Mass Eye and Ear, a member of Mass General Brigham, reports the results of a phase I trial of a revolutionary stem cell treatment called cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CALEC), which was found to be safe and well-tolerated over the short term in four patients with significant chemical burns in one eye.
According to a study published August 18 in Science Advances, the patients who were followed for 12 months experienced restored cornea surfaces—two were able to undergo a corneal transplant and two reported significant improvements in vision without additional treatment.