Today I learned about adverse reactions happening at stem-cell clinics from
the attached paper (summary below). I haven't seen any of these cases
myself. Have any of you seen other cases of this? I was oblivious to these
clinics even existing until today...
Sarah
Paper Summary: Adipose tissue–derived “stem cells” have been increasingly
used by “stem-cell clinics” in the United States and elsewhere to treat a
variety of disorders. We evaluated three patients in whom severe bilateral
visual loss developed after they received intravitreal injections of
autologous adipose tissue–derived “stem cells” at one such clinic in the
United States. In these three patients, the last documented visual acuity
on the Snellen eye chart before the injection ranged from 20/30 to 20/200.
The patients’ severe visual loss after the injection was associated with
ocular hypertension, hemorrhagic retinopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, combined
traction and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, or lens dislocation. After
1 year, the patients’ visual acuity ranged from 20/200 to no light
perception.
Attachment:
NEJM stem cell AMD.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
