1
|
Kalavar M, Lovett EA, Nicholas MP, Ross-Hirsch A, Nirwan RS, Sridhar J, Patel S, Flynn HW, Albini TA, Kuriyan AE. Update on "Cell Therapy" Clinics Offering Treatments of Ocular Conditions Using Direct-To-Consumer Marketing Websites in the U.S. Am J Ophthalmol 2024:S0002-9394(24)00257-5. [PMID: 38880376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the scope of U.S.-based companies advertising and administering non-Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved cell-based therapy (herein called NFACT) for ocular conditions based on information from companies' public websites after the FDA's legal actions against specific NFACT clinics in 2018 and 2019. Current findings are compared to previously published data from 2017. DESIGN Trend study looking at U.S.-based companies that use direct-to-consumer marketing and have websites advertising therapy for ocular conditions. METHODS A systematic and extensive keyword-based Internet search was utilized to identify, document, and analyze U.S. business websites offering NFACT for ocular conditions as of August 2022. Main outcomes measured include, clinic locations, marketed ocular conditions, types of NFACT offered, source of stem cells used, routes of administration, and treatment costs. RESULTS From the prior analysis in 2017 to the 2019 analysis, there was a decrease in the number of NFACT clinics from 76 to 62 and companies from 40 to 39. Given the concerning persistence of NFACTs in August 2019 an additional analysis was performed in 2022 which showed a drastic decrease in NFACT clinics from 62 in 2019 to 18 in 2023 and from 39 companies to 13 in 2023. In both 2019 and 2022, the most commonly referenced ocular condition was age-related macular degeneration (2019 - 72%, 2022 - 92%). The state with the most clinics was in Texas (2019 - 12; 2022 - 5). Autologous adipose-derived stem cells were the most common cell type used in both analyses. CONCLUSIONS In 2019 U.S.-based direct-to-consumer companies marketing NFACT persisted despite (1) a lack of high-quality clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of these procedures, (2) the association of some of these treatments with severe vision loss, and (3) increasing FDA oversight and recent legal action. In 2022 the number of clinics and companies decreased, but their persistence is a reminder that continued concern is necessary and ophthalmic associations need to continue advocacy efforts to protect patients from these potentially predatory organizations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghana Kalavar
- Havener Eye Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Eric A Lovett
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Matthew P Nicholas
- Eye Disease Consultants, LLC. West Hartford, CT, USA; Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA; Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Adam Ross-Hirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Rajinder S Nirwan
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jayanth Sridhar
- Olive View Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shriji Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Harry W Flynn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, The University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Thomas A Albini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, The University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ajay E Kuriyan
- Mid Atlantic Retina/Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Turner L, Martinez JR, Najjar S, Arachchilage TR, Sahrai V, Wang JC. Regulatory claims made by US businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer marketing of purported stem cell treatments and exosome therapies. Regen Med 2023; 18:857-868. [PMID: 37867326 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study investigated whether US businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer online marketing of purported stem cell therapies and stem cell-derived exosome products made claims concerning the regulatory status of these interventions. Methods: We used data mining and content analysis of company websites to examine regulatory-related representations made by US businesses marketing stem cell treatments and exosome therapies. Results: More than two thirds of such businesses did not make explicit representations about the regulatory status of their marketed products. Businesses that made claims about the regulatory status of the stem cell and exosome products they sold used range of representations concerning the legal standing of these interventions. Conclusion: The absence of information addressing the regulatory status of stem cell interventions and exosome products and the use of what appeared to be inaccurate information concerning the regulatory status of numerous products likely complicates efforts by customers to make informed health-related decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Turner
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
- Department of Health, Society, & Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
- Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Juan Ramon Martinez
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Shemms Najjar
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Thevin Rajapaksha Arachchilage
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Victoria Sahrai
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Jia Chieng Wang
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Room 3543, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Turner L, Martinez JR, Najjar S, Arachchilage TR, Sahrai V, Wang JC. Safety and efficacy claims made by US businesses marketing purported stem cell treatments and exosome therapies. Regen Med 2023; 18:781-793. [PMID: 37795701 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Examining websites of US businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of putative stem cell treatments and exosome therapies, this study investigated the marketing claims such companies make about the purported safety and efficacy of these products. Methods: Data mining and content analysis of company websites were used to identify and analyze safety and efficacy claims. Results: Of the 978 businesses analyzed, less than half the companies made identifiable claims about the safety and efficacy of their advertised stem cell and exosome products. We also explored how companies framed the stem cell and exosome products they promoted. Representations ranged from assertions that such products are unproven and investigational to claims they constituted cures. Most advertising frames fell between these poles. Conclusion: Some businesses include in their marketing representations claims about the safety and efficacy of advertised products. Businesses that did not make such assertions use other techniques to attract prospective clients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Turner
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
- Department of Health, Society, & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
- Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Juan Ramon Martinez
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Shemms Najjar
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Thevin Rajapaksha Arachchilage
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Victoria Sahrai
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| | - Jia Chieng Wang
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, UCI Health Sciences Complex, 856 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697-3957, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lin Y, Ren X, Chen Y, Chen D. Interaction Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Retinal Degenerative Microenvironment. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:617377. [PMID: 33551729 PMCID: PMC7859517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.617377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases (RDDs) are a group of diseases contributing to irreversible vision loss with yet limited therapies. Stem cell-based therapy is a promising novel therapeutic approach in RDD treatment. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a leading cell source due to their neurotrophic and immunomodulatory capabilities, limited ethical concerns, and low risk of tumor formation. Several pre-clinical studies have shown that MSCs have the potential to delay retinal degeneration, and recent clinical trials have demonstrated promising safety profiles for the application of MSCs in retinal disease. However, some of the clinical-stage MSC therapies have been unable to meet primary efficacy end points, and severe side effects were reported in some retinal “stem cell” clinics. In this review, we provide an update of the interaction between MSCs and the RDD microenvironment and discuss how to balance the therapeutic potential and safety concerns of MSCs' ocular application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lin
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongjiang Chen
- The School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Danian Chen
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|