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Research on emerging dry AMD treatments shows promise
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 Peter K. Kaiser |
Several clinical trials are under way to find the best treatment option for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration, a speaker said.
"What we're trying to prevent here is change in geographic atrophy," Peter K. Kaiser, MD, said at Retina 2011. "Someone who has non-central geographic atrophy or visual acuity is not going to change with a drug theoretically ... if the drug actually worked and prevented atrophy progression, that would be a reasonable outcome."
Drugs that are currently being investigated as potential treatment options have different modalities of preventing progression, which include preventing photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium loss, protecting neurons from further degeneration, reducing toxic byproduct accumulation that causes drusen, altering a dysfunctional visual cycle and suppressing inflammation in the immune system.
Many of the drugs are in phase 2 trials, with the primary outcomes involving geographic atrophy. However, Dr. Kaiser said there are no sufficient animal models to test them.
"We have a uniquely human problem in the form of dry macular degeneration," he said.
Future treatment of dry AMD could involve autologous retinal pigment epithelium transplants, stem cells, gene therapy and computer chip implants.
- Disclosure: Dr. Kaiser had no relevant financial interests to disclose.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2012 will be held January 15-20 at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in Maui. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com or RetinaMeeting.com.