![]() These cells will maintain the genetic code of the individual from whom they originated, which will likely eliminate the need for the long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs.Ī recognized expert in translational research, Schwartz has contributed to the development of several new technologies that have advanced the field of ophthalmology including drug delivery systems, diagnostic imaging instrumentation, therapeutic lasers and microsurgical devices. Schwartz and the center’s research team are now working to develop a new therapy that creates retinal pigment epithelium cells from each patient’s own induced pluripotent stem cells. These immunosuppressive drugs carry substantial health risks, particularly for the elderly. However, because this treatment method used cells that were not genetically matched to the patient, trial participants were required to take drugs that suppress the immune system long-term so that their bodies did not reject the new cells. The trial showed that retinal pigment epithelium cell replacement strategies are safe and possibly effective in addressing retinal blindness. This trial replaced retinal pigment epithelium cells, which are lost in many blinding eye conditions – including dry age-related and myopic macular degeneration, and Stargardt’s macular dystrophy – with cells that had been derived from human embryonic stem cells. More recently, Schwartz led the first clinical trial in the United States to use human embryonic stem cell-derived cells in patients to treat eye disease. The development of ranibizumab and similar therapies changed the prognosis of wet macular degeneration from a 90 percent risk of legal blindness within two years of diagnosis to a 95 percent chance of stabilization of vision and 35 percent chance for significant improvement over two years. With wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. Age-related macular degeneration affects the retina, which lines the inner surface of the back of the eye, and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 65. Schwartz was a principal investigator in a number of early-stage clinical trials for retinal diseases, including the initial studies for ranibizumab (Lucentis) – an injectable drug that is now a common treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. Schwartz leads clinical trials of novel cell therapies and drugs to treat blinding eye diseases. He aims to translate basic biological discoveries into new treatment strategies, and to develop and evaluate novel medical device technologies, imaging technologies, surgical equipment (including surgical robots) and drug delivery systems. The doctor accepted "under the threat of exposing information important to his reputation in the community.Steven Schwartz, M.D., is an ophthalmologist whose primary research areas include early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic eye disease. ![]() The lawsuit also claims that Rebecca told her husband to change his estate plan so that it benefited her rather than his children. About one month before the murder, she hired a document shredding service to dispose of several boxes of paperwork that were "likely relevant to the embezzlement of funds," records state. She was also "caught embezzling funds" from his practice, Main Street Medical in Dunedin. "We're going to hold their feet to the fire."īefore and after his death, Rebecca siphoned "significant sums of money" from Schwartz's accounts. Schwartz has vigorously denied having anything to do with the death of her husband," he said. Her attorney, Denis deVlaming, said he planned to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and request that Florin show proof of the allegations. Rebecca Schwartz could not be reached for comment Tuesday. "All of the support that (Schwartz) was providing, which was significant, has been terminated by Ms. "Not only did they have the emotional rug pulled out from under them, but they had the financial rug pulled out from under them," he said. Wil Florin, the Palm Harbor attorney representing Schwartz's family, said his death has caused a "tremendous impact" on them.
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