Clinical Trials for Macular DegenerationThere is intense interest in research in macular degeneration. Studies are underway to find the cause and treatment for this eye disease. Clinical trials for macular degeneration are a means of research that is designed to help determine if new treatment methods are safe and effective. Research for macular degeneration often starts in a laboratory where new medications are first developed and tested. The laboratory pohase is known as Pre-Clinical Trial. Usually there is a succession of tests that are approved and regulated by local authorities and government agencies such as the FDA. Clinical trials begin after promising results with laboratory testing. Phase I trials test a small number of people for safety and best dose of treratment. Phase II involves an expanded group of patients, usually several hundred. Phase III extends the study group to thousands of people in order to confirm effectiveness and to monitor safety and side effects of treatment. After close scrutiny of results, the medication may be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and made available for public use. The entity that developed the medication is usually required to track side effects and efficacy. Clinical trials listed below are divided into three time frames. The first are the Clinical Trials that are still "Recruiting" patients to participate in the study. The second are the Trials that are currently in progress, but are "Not Recruiting" new patients. The last and final stage are those studies that are "Completed" already and have some results to report.
Clinical trials for macuar degeneration usually involve the use of a variety of medications placed inside the eye. A clinical trial to test the usefulness of vitamins for macular degeneration showed that certain vitamins may offer some degree of protection from advancing macular degeneration, but that vitamins may not necessary be effective treatment for preventing macular degeneration. Participants in any clinical trial are chosen based on suitability (eligibility.) Some of these clinical trials have many sites throughout the United States where the study is performed. Some clinical studies are only available in a single location either in the United States or abroad. Participatuonj in a clinical trial means that you are required to be examined before you are accepted to determine your eligibility. You must also be available for appointments. Some of the latest clinical trials are as follows: Harbor Trial for Macular DegenerationThis trial is sponsored by Genentech - Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double masked, dose compabrison of the study and efficacy of 0.5 mg and 2.0 mg dose of Lucentis administered monthly vs. PRN for subfoveal Chorioretinal neovascularization (CNV).VGTF-OD-0910 (Regeneron)This trial is sponsored by Regeneron - extension study of efficacy and safety of intravitreal VEGF Trap administered monthly for exudative ARMD.
VGFT-OD-OD-0702 (RegeneronThis trial is sponsored by Regeneron. It is a randomized, open-label study to determine the long term safety and tolerability study of intravitreal VEGF Trap for exudative macular degeneration.
Envision Clarity TrialA Phase II clinical trial is underway to study an oral medication for dry macular degeneration due to geographic atrophy. Currently known as ACU-4429, the pill is being tested in several different dosages, to determine its safety and tolerability.Patients are being recruited to participate in a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, taking place at sites throughout the United States. Participants receive either an active ACU-4429 in one of several doses, or a placebo pill. To be eligible, subjects must have geographic atrophy from dry macular degeneration and meet other criteria. ACU-4429, a visual cycle modulator, appears to decrease the toxic by-products that have been shown to play a role in dry AMD. It has been granted FDA Fast Track status, which is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs with the potential to address unmet medical needs.
Envision Clinical Trial for Macular Degeneration Copaxone for Macular DegenerationCopaxone (glatiramer acetate)is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been proven safe and effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This small trial of 30 people with dry macukar degeneration involves a weekly vaccination with the drug Copaxone. This is NOT an injection in the eye. Macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis have some things in common, including inflammation and the formation of deposits. In Alzheimers, the deposits are plaque in the brain; in AMD, the deposits are drusen in the retina. Copaxone is being investigated as a treatment for all three diseases. It is already used to treat multiple sclerosis and has been proven safe in that treatment.The intention of the study is to see if Copaxone will reduce the drusen in dry AMD. Earlier studies showed that eyes treated with Copaxone showed a reduction in drusen area of over 53% after 12 weeks. This is compared to patients without treatment those eyes showed an average 25% increase in the total area of drusen over 6 months. None of the untreated eyes showed any shrinking of the drusen area at all. One study is taking place at Kaplan Medical Center in Israel. Another study is taking place at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. Ongoing research is taking place at several other sites. Once they have had a chance to review all the results, they plan to start a Phase II trial, which will involve many more patients. That larger trial will give researchers much more information on the safety and effectiveness of Copaxone. For more information, contact: ktai@nyee.edu or visit: Copaxone for Macular Degeneration Stem Cells for Macular DegenerationStem Cell Treatment for Macular Degeneration Artificial Vision for Macular DegenerationArtificial Vision for Macular Degeneration
Nano Technology for Improved Vision Stem Cell Technology for Macular DegenerationAdvanced Cell Technology, a company based in Santa Monica, California, developed stem cell therapy to treat Stargardt's macular dystrophy, a rare childhood version of macular degeneration that affects about 1 in 10,000 children. The company has applied their knowledge of stem cell technology to treat age-related macular degeneration.Contact Advanced Cell Technology for details:
Participation in Clinical TrialsContact the director or coordinator of clinical trials for macular degeneration that interest you to find more information.Back to Macular Vision from Clinical Trials for Macular Degeneration |