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For the first time, Foundation-funded scientists have created an animal model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that closely represents the vision-robbing disease in humans. This advancement gives biopharmaceutical companies a new and invaluable platform for the development of therapies that can stop the AMD process at an early stage, before any vision is lost. And, this new mouse model will help us move closer to a cure for all forms of AMD — both wet and dry. The model was developed by Foundation-funded researcher Joe Hollyfield, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic. They were able to create the same immune-system response in mice that causes AMD in humans. These mice developed drusen — the deposits in the retina that are present in virtually all people affected by AMD. The investigators' findings were reported in the January 27, 2008 issue of Nature Medicine, one of the most prestigious research journals in the world. The fact that this publication covered this project is indicative of the magnitude of the advancement. Over the past three years, great progress has been made in the fight against the wet form of AMD. Since 2004, Macugen® has been available for halting the growth of vision-robbing blood vessels under the retina — the hallmark of wet AMD. Since 2006, Lucentis™ has been impressively effective in stopping the growth of these unhealthy blood vessels. Numerous studies funded by the Foundation in the 1990s provided the makers of both Macugen and Lucentis with clear targets for developing effective treatments. However, these current therapies are only effective in treating wet AMD — a later stage of the disease. There still is no cure for either dry or wet AMD, and millions of people are still at risk of losing their vision to both forms of the disease. It’s important to note that a genetic breakthrough made by Foundation-funded researchers in 2005 — the identification of certain variations in a gene called CFH that dramatically increase the risk of AMD — helped lay the groundwork for Hollyfield’s development of this AMD model. CFH is one of the genes that controls the immune system. Foundation funding also enabled Hollyfield to study donor eyes from people affected with AMD, which provided him with important information about the disease process for developing the mouse model. The fight against a devastating and complex disease like AMD is not an easy one. It’s a step-by-step process that requires collaboration and persistence. The Foundation is both strategic and aggressive in funding the research that will lead to better treatments, and ultimately, a cure. The work described in this article was made possible through generous gifts from people like you. Please click here to make a donation to the Foundation.
DISCLAIMER: Physicians differ in their approach to incorporating research results into their clinical practice. You should always consult with and be guided by your Physician’s advice when considering treatment based on research results. |
