Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
5-4-2015
Publication Source
Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs
Volume
3
Issue
5
Start Page
563
Last Page
575
DOI
10.1517/21678707.2015.1030393 PMCID: PMC4487613
Abstract
Introduction: Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) have long been considered untreatable and incurable. Recently, one form of early-onset autosomal recessive IRD, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) caused by mutations in RPE65 (retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 kDa) gene, has responded with some improvement of vision to gene augmentation therapy and oral retinoid administration. This early success now requires refinement of such therapeutics to fully realize the impact of these major scientific and clinical advances.
Areas covered: Progress toward human therapy for RPE65-LCA is detailed from the understanding of molecular mechanisms to preclinical proof-of-concept research to clinical trials. Unexpected positive and complicating results in the patients receiving treatment are explained. Logical next steps to advance the clinical value of the therapeutics are suggested.
Expert opinion: The first molecularly based early-phase therapies for an IRD are remarkably successful in that vision has improved and adverse events are mainly associated with surgical delivery to the subretinal space. Yet, there are features of the gene augmentation therapeutic response, such as slowed kinetics of night vision, lack of foveal cone function improvement and relentlessly progressive retinal degeneration despite therapy, that still require research attention.
Copyright/Permission Statement
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 License which permits users to download and share the article for non-commercial purposes, so long as the article is reproduced in the whole without changes, and provided the original source is credited.
Keywords
gene therapy, Leber congenital amaurosis, photoreceptors, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, retinoid cycle
Recommended Citation
Jacobson, S. G., Cideciyan, A. V., Aguirre, G. D., Roman, A. J., Sumaroka, A., Hauswirth, W. W., & Palczewski, K. (2015). Improvement in Vision: A New Goal for Treatment of Hereditary Retinal Degenerations. Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs, 3 (5), 563-575. http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/21678707.2015.1030393 PMCID: PMC4487613
Date Posted:19 April 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.