Age-Related Macular Degeneration & Gene Therapy

Researchers at the Tufts University School of Medicine are showing very promising results to help lead the way in the treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. In older humans, the immune system can start to slowly kill the cells at the back of the eye, resulting in blurred vision in the center field of vision. Also when the immune system kills those cells small pores will form at the back of the eye known as the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). Using a protein called CD59, a deactivated virus as the delivery system, and a mouse as a model for age-related macular degeneration, researchers were able to reduce the formation of MAC to 52% compared to the control subjects. The only current treatment for macular degeneration is an injection into the eye about every four weeks, this gene therapy treatment would be delivered the same way but at much longer intervals. Although researchers say much more testing is necessary before human clinical trials, the future is looking good for them and im sure many sufferers of macular degeneration are waiting in anticipation.