A look at geographic atrophy in 2024: The highs, lows of treatment trials
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In 2024, Healio covered several stories about trials investigating geographic atrophy biomarkers and treatment options.
While one trial found that intravitreal pegcetacoplan showed promise in slowing the growth rate of biomarkers, another showed that oral minocycline may not reduce geographic atrophy enlargement.
Here are our most popular geographic atrophy stories from 2024.
First patient dosed in second part of trial for AVD-104 to treat geographic atrophy
Aviceda Therapeutics announced the dosing of the first patient in the second part of its phase 2/3 SIGLEC trial investigating AVD-104 to treat geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
“Based on the efficacy and safety we saw in part 1, we moved rapidly to initiate part 2 by activating sites and enrollment for this potentially disease-modifying treatment,” David Callanan, MD, Aviceda’s chief medical officer and senior vice president, said in a company press release. Read more.
AREDS2 supplement slows expansion of geographic atrophy, even in late-stage AMD
Taking a daily supplement with antioxidant vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of late-stage dry AMD and could help maintain central vision in affected patients, according to researchers at NIH.
The original Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS), published in 2001, found that a supplement formulated with antioxidants — including vitamins C, E and beta-carotene — as well as zinc and copper could slow progression of intermediate to late-stage AMD. More than a decade later, the AREDS2 trial published in 2013 determined that substituting the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene could not only improve efficacy but also prevent some risks. Neither study examined further benefits once patients progressed to late-stage disease. Read more.
Pegcetacoplan associated with reduced growth rates of geographic atrophy biomarkers
Intravitreal pegcetacoplan was associated with delayed atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors among patients with geographic atrophy secondary to AMD, according to research.
“This study demonstrates the potential importance of SD-OCT imaging for assessing growth and response to treatment of GA,” Dun Jack Fu, PhD, a lecturer at University College London and investigator at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and colleagues wrote in JAMA Ophthalmology. Read more.
Ocugen doses second cohort in trial of OCU410 for geographic atrophy
Ocugen has announced that dosing is complete in the second cohort of its phase 1/2 ArMaDa clinical trial to assess the safety of OCU410, a modifier gene therapy candidate for geographic atrophy.
“We are very enthusiastic about the potential of OCU410 as a one-time, gene-agnostic option for the treatment of GA,” Huma Qamar, MD, MPH, Ocugen’s chief medical officer, said in a company press release. “OCU410 regulates multiple pathways involved with the disease, including lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and membrane attack complex (complement) with a single subretinal injection.” Read more.
Oral minocycline fails to slow rate of geographic atrophy enlargement in AMD
Oral minocycline was not associated with a reduction in geographic atrophy enlargement over 24 months vs. a 9-month run-in period among patients with AMD, according to a study in JAMA Ophthalmology.
“We continue to look for these elusive treatments to try and slow down geographic atrophy,” Tiarnán D. L. Keenan, MD, PhD, a Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator in the division of epidemiology and clinical applications at NIH’s National Eye Institute, told Healio. Read more.
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