This paper by Lambiase et al. delves into the potential of nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drops as a neuroprotective treatment for glaucoma, a disease characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and optic nerve damage. The study evaluates the effects of NGF in both animal models and human patients suffering from progressive visual field defects despite controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). In a rat model, NGF showed a significant reduction in RGC apoptosis and enhanced survival rates when administered at 200 µg/mL concentration. For human subjects, topical NGF treatment led to improvements in visual field, optic nerve function, contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity over a sustained period, even after cessation of the treatment. These findings suggest that NGF could play a crucial role in protecting and possibly regenerating neural components in glaucoma, providing a potential avenue for treatment beyond conventional IOP management strategies.

The neuroprotective properties of NGF, as demonstrated in this study, align well with the therapeutic objectives of Novastem's stem cell therapies, which also aim to regenerate and repair neural tissues. Like NGF, stem cell treatments may protect against neural degeneration and enhance neural function, offering a complementary or alternative approach to traditional treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma.

• Mechanism of Action: NGF supports neuron survival and function by inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing neurotrophic factors, which is crucial for treating diseases characterized by neural degradation, such as glaucoma.
• Clinical Benefits: Patients treated with NGF eye drops showed measurable improvements in various aspects of visual function, indicating its effectiveness in not only halting but potentially reversing damage.
• Potential for Broad Application: The success of NGF eye drops in improving outcomes for glaucoma patients might extend to other neurodegenerative conditions, suggesting a wider applicability of NGF-based treatments.

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