Safe CNV removal is crucial for successful hESC-RPE transplantation in wet age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

Subretinal transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (hESC-RPE) cells has demonstrated therapeutic potential in macular degeneration. However, its efficiency is limited in wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). To investigate the feasibility of hESC-RPE cell transplantation, we employed a surgical approach to induce retinal detachment, which allowed the removal of CNV lesions. After retinal reattachment, hESC-RPE cells were transplanted into the subretinal space. Ten patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups. No retinal edema or CNV recurrence was observed in group 1 (7 patients without bleeding). Group 2 (3 patients with bleeding) had persistent fundus inflammation, and one patient experienced CNV recurrence. All patients were managed effectively without vision loss. These findings suggest that subretinal transplantation of hESC-RPE cells after CNV removal is safe and well tolerated; however, damage caused during CNV removal may trigger persistent inflammation and CNV recurrence. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02749734).