Degenerative diseases of the retina are challenging for ophthalmologists. This is a common term that covers heterogenous group of diseases, f.e. retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Best's disease or age related macular degeneration. Undetermined etiology, wide range of factors that may trigger the onset of the disease and modulate it's course impede the implementation of an effective treatment. Currently, a stem cells therapy seems to be promising option in patients with degenerative diseases of the retina. The purpose of this prospective, nonrandomized, open label, pilot study is to conduct the investigation of the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of autologous bone marrow-isolated stem/progenitor cells with different selected phenotypes into the subjects with degenerative diseases of the retina. Especially, this clinical trial is designated to test the therapeutic (pro-regenerative and neuro-protective) functions of different stem/progenitor cell populations able to secrete bioactive neurotrophic factors. All patients enrolled will have a documented history of degenerative disease of the retina prior to study enrollment. Next, autologous bone marrow-isolated stem/progenitor cells intravitreous injection will be performed. Finally, treatment safety, adverse events and exploratory parameters, including best corrected visual acuity, visual field and electroretinography parameters, to establish disease progression rate will be recorded throughout the duration of the post-treatment follow up period.
The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of an autologous bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells administered intravitreously in the subjects with degenerative diseases of the retina.