Autologous Limbal Stem Cell Transplant Has Higher Success Rate than Allogenic
A comparison of different limbal stem cell transplant (LSCT) procedures suggests that autologous LSCT may have a higher success rate and lower complication rate than other LSCT types, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
The study compared direct autologous limbal transplant (AULT), direct allogenic limbal transplant (ALLT), cultivated autologous limbal stem cells transplant (cAULT), and cultivated allogenic limbal stem cells transplant (cALLT) from data from 40 clinical studies with LSCT outcomes.
A total of 2202 eyes were included, with 505 undergoing AULT, 742 undergoing ALLT, 771 undergoing cAULT, and 184 undergoing cALLT.
Approximately 75% of all eyes achieved improvement of the ocular surface, with 85.7% of eyes after AULT, 84.7% after cAULT, 57.8% after ALLT, and 63.2% after cALLT.
Visual acuity improvement rate was highest in eyes undergoing AULT (76%) compared with 56.4% in cAULT, 52.3% in ALLT, and 43.3% in cALLT.
In all eyes, the most common adverse events were recurrent/persistent epithelial erosion and elevated intraocular pressure, with the highest rates recorded in patients who underwent ALLT.
Reference
Le Q, Chauhan T, Yung M, et al. Outcomes of limbal stem cell transplant. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online April 23, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.1120.
