The establishment of advanced cell therapy for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency in the Czech Republic
Published
| Region | Prague |
|---|---|
| Title of the Programme | Research |
| Title of the Project | The establishment of advanced cell therapy for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency in the Czech Republic |
| Number of the Project | TO01000099 |
| Project Promoter | Univerzita Karlova |
| Project Partner from Donor State | University of Oslo
|
| Czech Partner | Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR, v. v. i. |
| Status | Estimated project duration: 1 / 2021 - 4 / 2024 |
| Total Eligible Costs | 1 061 067 EUR |
| Grant | 975 457 EUR |
Project description:
To introduce treatment for a blinding corneal disorder, limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), using advanced stem cell-based transplantation therapy into clinical practice.
First, a xenogeneic-free protocol for limbal epithelial cell preparation will be ameliorated via cooperation with partners. After verification in preclinical practice and approval by the National Authority, a Clinical trial 1 using these cells will be conducted in ≥12 patients with unilateral LSCD.
In parallel, we will prepare a xenogeneic-free cultivation protocol of autologous epithelial cells. Clinical trial 2 will be conducted on ≥12 patients with bilateral LSCD. Methods for cell preparation will be tested for safety (DNA stability), and the method for long-term preservation of cells will be developed (vitrification).