Age-related macular degeneration therapy: a review

Abstract

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to describe the current clinical landscape of potential future therapies for both nonexudative (dry) and exudative (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We highlight some of the more promising treatments that are furthest along in development. Recent findings Patients with dry AMD have long been hoping for a highly efficacious treatment that may slow disease progression or even help regain vision. Patients with wet AMD have many effective treatment options but still there are those who have suboptimal responses or are burdened by the high frequency of treatment. We detail exciting new concepts and targets for novel medications. Specifically, for dry AMD we discuss research looking at complement inhibition, neuroprotection, visual cycle modulators, cell-based therapies, and anti-inflammatory agents. For wet AMD we summarize new, potentially more durable anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, extended release options, and gene therapy. Summary There are promising new strategies for AMD. Many of the potential new treatments are in or have recently completed phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials with promising results thus far, including some that have received US Food and Drug Administration approval. Additional therapeutic breakthroughs will likely continue to occur thanks to the number of clinical trials that are nearing the finish line.

Nanoceria Particles Are an Eligible Candidate to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Inhibiting Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Death and Autophagy Alterations

“…Moreover, to date, no treatments exist to effectively protect RPE cells in patients with dry AMD. Hence, they are often inevitably destined to blindness [36]. Therefore, in order to improve the management of AMD, we investigated whether the RPE was structurally preserved by nanoceria particles' intravitreal injection in the acute light damage (LD) experimental model.…”

New Drugs in the Pipeline for the Management of AMD

“…Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) comprise human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). There are two subtypes of cellbased treatments: stem cell therapies that involve delivering new retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to the subretinal space, and non-stem cell therapies based on cell implantation, which generates protective factors [20].…”

Acceptability of intravitreal injections in geographic atrophy: protocol for a mixed-methods pilot study

“…The current treatments under investigation are delivered at monthly, bimonthly or 3 monthly intervals and have been shown to slow down GA lesion growth by up to 30% in 1 year, depending on the therapy and how often injections are delivered (table 1). 7 This would translate to lesions taking longer to affect central vision and patients therefore keeping useful central vision for a longer period.…”