Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40867611›Full record

ReviewBiomolecules2025

Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation in Retinal Disease: Clinical Trial Development, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Qin Chen, Ting Zhang, Zhi Chen, Jingwen Zeng, Aine O'Connor, Meidong Zhu, Mark C Gillies, Fang Lu, Ling Zhu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biomolecules, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Qin ChenThe Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0865-0441
Ting ZhangSave Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia.
Zhi ChenIntelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Jingwen ZengSave Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia.
Aine O'ConnorNew South Wales Tissue Bank, Sydney Eye Hospital, New South Wales Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.ORCID 0009-0009-4594-5423
Meidong ZhuSave Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia.
Mark C GilliesSave Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-8580-0274
Fang LuThe Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Ling ZhuSave Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-0776-1630

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82201212the Claffy Foundation Bright Idea Grant Not
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Replacement of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is emerging as a promising approach to treat degenerative retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease, in which RPE function cannot otherwise be restored. Despite the limitations of existing treatments, advances in cell sourcing and surgical methods have enabled initial human trials of RPE transplantation, with early results indicating potential efficacy. This review comprehensively examines the evolution of RPE transplantation in recent decades, highlighting the advantages and limitations of different cell sources and delivery methods. Current clinical trial data are analyzed with a particular focus on immune rejection risks, surgical complications, and long-term safety. Despite encouraging safety profiles, achieving consistent and sustained visual improvement remains a challenge, as vision outcomes might be influenced by factors such as disease stage at intervention, transplantation site, number of cells transplanted, and duration of follow-up. Key challenges, such as cell or graft survival and integration with the host retina, are discussed in depth, as overcoming these obstacles is essential for achieving stable and effective RPE replacement. Future research directions, including innovations in biomaterials, molecular modification strategies, and personalized approaches, hold promise for enhancing the efficacy and durability of RPE transplantation for retinal disease.

Indexed as

Macular DegenerationRetinal DiseasesRetinal Pigment EpitheliumAnimalsClinical Trials as TopicHumanscell therapyclinical trialsretinal degenerative diseasesretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantationstem cell-derived RPE

Identifiers

PMID40867611
PMCPMC12384370

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.