Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Scoping Review

Alif Raihan Laksono¹, Salma Firdaus¹ and Reny I’tishom^2*

Abstract

Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disorder that arises due to chronic hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, would ultimately cause loss of vision. Although there are some established treatments for DR, those treatments failed to show a capability to induce cellular regeneration. Stem cells are unspecialized cells of the human body that would be able to differentiate and have the ability to self-regeneration and recently emerged as a potential treatment for DR. Aim: The aim of this review is to evaluate the ability of stem cells as a treatment for DR by promoting cellular regeneration and evaluate the safety of stem cell treatment. Method: We identified relevant articles from three established databases and did an advanced search using a combination of Medical SubHeading Terms (MeSH Terms) keywords and boolean operators such as: (“Diabetic Retinopathy” [MeSH Terms]) AND stem cells [MeSH Terms]”. Result: In this scoping review, the authors identified thirteen studies that meet the inclusion criteria. Of the twelve pre-clinical studies, eleven studies evaluated cellular regeneration, and five studies evaluated neurotrophic factors. Only two studies reported side effects of stem cell therapy in pre-clinical studies. Only one clinical study was identified that evaluated the cellular regeneration of stem cell therapy in DR. Conclusion: Several types of stem cells have been researched as a new therapeutic modality for Diabetic Retinopathy. Most studies showed successful application as noted on its ability to promote and preserve cell regeneration as well as increase neurotrophic factors of the retina with no serious adverse effects are reported.

Keywords

stem cell; Diabetic Retinopathy; therapy; cellular regeneration; safety

Cite This Article

Laksono, A. R., Firdaus, S., I’tishom, R. (2022). Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 3| Issue 6: Nov-Dec 2022, Pages 871-878, URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Volume3-Issue6-Nov-Dec-No.368-871-878.pdf

Volume 3 | Issue 6: Nov-Dec 2022