If you have advanced age-related macular degeneration, you might feel frustrated by the currently available treatment options. But take heart. Scientists are investigating a number of new treatments for age-related macular degeneration that may help prevent vision loss and four of the most promising are in clinical trials. Here is a peek into the drug development pipeline for age-related macular degeneration.
Beta Radiation Epiretinal Therapy For Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This therapy for the wet (neovascular) form of age-related macular degeneration is designed to slow or stop the growth of new choroidal blood vessels that can eventually damage the retina and lead to vision loss. It works by delivering a single targeted dose of radiation to the abnormal choroidal blood vessels through a device about the size and shape of a fountain pen. Unlike other radiation therapies tried in the past, this one enables the retinal surgeon to focus the radiation only on the part of the retina affected by age-related macular degeneration, decreasing exposure to the surrounding tissue.
VEGF Trap-Eye For Age-Related Macular Degeneration
As with Avastin and Lucentis, this medication also targets VEGF -- a naturally occurring protein that triggers the formation of new blood vessels -- but in addition, it binds or prevents the action of another related growth factor, PlGF (placental growth factor), which contributes to the development of new choroidal blood vessels.
Bevasiranib For Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Based on Nobel Prize-winning research, bevasiranib uses a type of molecule known as a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) to "knock out," or silence, the genes responsible for the production of VEGF. It is the first drug in this new class of medications. The drug's manufacturer, Opko Health, has begun a two-year phase III clinical trial involving 330 people with wet age-related macular degeneration. Known as the Combining Bevasiranib and Lucentis Therapy trial, the study will examine the safety and effectiveness of treatment with bevasiranib (2.5-mg intraocular injections every eight or 12 weeks) following pretreatment with three injections of Lucentis compared with Lucentis alone -- a current standard treatment. The study is expected to be completed in 2010.
Sonepcizumab For Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Last year, the manufacturer of sonepcizumab (iSONEP), Lpath, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct a phase I clinical trial to study the drug as a potential treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. Sonepcizumab, an antibody, works by neutralizing sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid, or body fat, involved in promoting cell growth and inflammation. In studies on mice, researchers found that iSONEP significantly halted the formation of new blood vessels that characterizes wet age-related macular degeneration. iSONEP also appears to inhibit blood vessel leakage, reduce the buildup of scar tissue associated with wet age-related macular degeneration, and act as an anti-inflammatory. In the phase I study, researchers will determine whether iSONEP is safe for use in people with age-related macular degeneration as well as the appropriate dose for future evaluation.
For Information on Clinical Trials
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for age-related macular degeneration, ask your physician. He or she will likely know of trials being conducted in your area. Also take a look at Clinicaltrials.gov, a searchable database that is maintained by the National Institutes of Health. Most clinical trials in the United States are listed here.
To find a trial for age-related macular degeneration that is currently recruiting patients, go to www.clinicaltrials.gov and type in “age-related macular degeneration” or the name of one of the treatments mentioned here.
The National Eye Institute also maintains a database of clinical studies that it conducts and supports. To search the database, visit www.nei.nih.gov/neitrials /index.aspx. If you find a trial you’re interested in, don’t forget to review the eligibility criteria. You must meet these requirements to participate in the trial.
