6 · Emerging therapies — cellular, gene & innovative
Senolytics · Platelet lysate (cord blood) — complementary approaches
Review — modulators of corneal healing › 6 · Emerging therapies — cellular, gene & innovative › Senolytics · Platelet lysate (cord blood) — complementary approaches
Senolytics · Platelet lysate (cord blood) — complementary approaches
Two distinct approaches, combined here for concision
Oxford V / IV
Investigational / Weak
Future / emerging
Senolytics (Dasatinib + Quercetin, fisetin…)MoA: selective elimination of senescent cells (p16/p21, SASP) that accumulate with age/diabetes/chronic injury → theoretical restoration of regenerative capacity, ↓fibrosis. Corneal evidence: Oxford V / Investigational (no corneal clinical data; extrapolated from pulmonary fibrosis/keloid). Dasatinib is approved only in oncology; ocular use is investigational. The most speculative approach in this document.
Platelet lysate (peripheral blood / cord blood, CBPL)MoA: freeze-thaw platelet lysis releasing high concentrations of EGF, PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, IGF-1, bFGF — similar to serum/PRP but more concentrated; allogeneic "off-the-shelf" cord-blood variants exist. Indications: refractory PED and ulcers, severe dry eye. Evidence: Oxford IV / Weak–Investigational (pilot studies). Regulatory: no registered drug — governed by blood/tissue bank frameworks; prepared at centres (Italy, Spain, Asia), limited access in the USA. Autologous serum remains the established analogue.
Key studies: Justice et al., D+Q pilot in IPF (EBioMedicine 2019) — PMID 30616998 ; platelet lysate for PED (Int Ophthalmol 2019) — PMID 29978342 ; CBPL for resistant corneal ulcer (2023) — PMID 37641608.