Senolytic treatment shows promise in DME, wet AMD
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A senolytic therapy represents a novel approach to treating diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration, according to a speaker at the Retina World Congress.
Raj Maturi, MD, presented data from a phase 1 study exploring the safety and efficacy of UBX1325 (Unity Biotechnology).
“This is an entirely new way of thinking about treating this disease,” he said. “What if we introduce a senolytic agent that actually eliminates the senescent cells and the source of these problems? It’s a chance for empty space to occur and, therefore, potentially normal tissue growth.”
The study included eight patients with DME and 11 patients with AMD. Maturi said the therapy was well tolerated with no significant cases of inflammation or detachment.
In DME, patients who received a single injection of UBX1325 experienced a rapid mean improvement in best corrected visual acuity of 10 letters at 2 weeks that was sustained over 24 weeks. Two patients with DME needed rescue treatment at 6 months after treatment. At 24 weeks, 62.5% of patients gained at least five letters in BCVA, while 50% gained at least 10 letters.
In AMD, Maturi said the vision gains were not as much, but there was a positive uptick among a group of patients with chronic AMD.
“This drug was found to be safe, improve vision and improve [central subfield thickness] in a majority of cases,” Maturi said. “A phase 2 study with DME has been fully enrolled, and we should get 12-week primary endpoint by the time of [the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting].”
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Maturi R. Novel senolytic treatment for retinal disease: Results of a phase 1 treatment for wet AMD and DME. Presented at: Retina World Congress; May 12-15, 2022; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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