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Friday, February 03, 2006
PEDF Gene Therapy for Wet MD - Phase I Trial Results
The results of a Phase I trial of PEDF, a gene therapy for a specific type of the wet form of macular degeneration, are reported in the current issue of Human Gene Therapy. The research involved 28 patients from the United States and took place at several research centres.
'Researchers Find Gene Therapy May Halt Progression Of Macular Degeneration', Oregon Health & Science University media release, 1 February 2006.
The research abstract and article, 'Adenoviral Vector-Delivered Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial' (February 2006, Volume 17, Number 2, pages 167-176), is available online.
Researchers took a gene, the pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) gene, and placed it in an adenovirus then injected it directly into the eye. While the virus is unable to replicate, it acts as a vehicle to incorporate the gene into the diseased eye. The gene produces PEDF protein, which inhibits formation of abnormal blood vessels.
"It is encouraging that this method of delivering therapy to the eye can be safely carried out," said Michael Klein, M.D., director of the Macular Degeneration Center at OHSU's Casey Eye Institute and co-principal investigator of the OHSU portion of the trial.
'Researchers Find Gene Therapy May Halt Progression Of Macular Degeneration', Oregon Health & Science University media release, 1 February 2006.
The research abstract and article, 'Adenoviral Vector-Delivered Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial' (February 2006, Volume 17, Number 2, pages 167-176), is available online.
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