Using cell therapy to treat primary open angle glaucoma
Official title: Translational Studies toward Cell Therapy for Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-10995780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new cell therapy to help people with primary open angle glaucoma by using special stem cells to improve eye function and lower pressure, which could help prevent vision loss when regular treatments aren't enough.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RX005008-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma, particularly those who have not responded well to conventional treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of glaucoma or those who do not have a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel cell therapy aimed at treating primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a condition that can lead to blindness. The approach involves using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that can be transformed into cells resembling those in the trabecular meshwork, which is crucial for regulating intraocular pressure (IOP). By transplanting these cells into the eyes of mouse models, the researchers aim to restore the function of the trabecular meshwork, reduce IOP, and prevent vision loss. This innovative method seeks to provide a long-term solution for patients who struggle with traditional glaucoma treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking treatment that restores vision and improves quality of life for patients with glaucoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using cell therapy for glaucoma treatment, indicating that this approach has potential based on early successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuehn, Markus H. — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kuehn, Markus H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving glaucoma risk predictions using diverse genetic data
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Multimodal AI to predict glaucoma progression and guide care
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Replacing damaged eye drainage cells to treat glaucoma
This project is developing a cell-based treatment to replace lost drainage cells and help people with primary open-angle glaucoma keep eye pressure lower and protect vision.
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Improving risk prediction for glaucoma in diverse populations
This study is looking to improve how we predict the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma in people of African ancestry, so that they can get better early diagnosis and treatment options based on their unique genetic background.
-
Better genetic risk prediction for open-angle glaucoma
This project will build more accurate genetic risk tools for people at risk of open-angle glaucoma by including more diverse ancestry groups in the analysis.
-
Improving fairness in glaucoma risk estimation using artificial intelligence
This study is working on a new AI tool to help better predict the risk of glaucoma, especially for people in diverse communities like African and Hispanic Americans, so that everyone can get fairer and more accurate eye care.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.