| Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor - Not Recruiting |
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This is a Phase II study involving 51 patients with dry AMD. Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) is a protein that effects cellular function and is classified as a “neuroprotective” agent. That means that it stops cell death and may rescue the photoreceptors, even if they are already on their way to dying. CNTF has been shown to retard or reverse retinal degeneration in the animal model. Researchers hope it will slow disease progression in dry AMD.
A tiny capsule is inserted into the eye and attached to the retina. The capsule contains retinal pigment epithelial cells. These have been “infected” with the gene that produces CNTF. This “encapsulated cell technology” means that the CNTF is released over time. Recently, four month results were released. The 51 subjects tolerated the treatment with no serious side effects. Their eyes showed signs of biologic activity. There was a decrease in the size of geographic atrophy in both the low and high dose groups. There was also a change in macular thickness, which is a good thing. It is still too early in this study to do a Phase III trial. But if the final results after 18 months are positive, more clinical trials may be performed. May 2011 Update: One year results were released. Long term delivery of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) was shown to stop or slow the loss of visual acuity in 96.3 percent of eyes receiving the high dose treatment. It also increased the retinal thickness. |
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