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Rosin B, Banin E, Sahel JA. Current Status of Clinical Trials Design and Outcomes in Retinal Gene Therapy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041301. [PMID: 37696658 PMCID: PMC11216172 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of methods encompassed by the term gene therapy, new trials exploring the safety and efficacy of these methods are initiated more frequently. As a result, important questions arise pertaining the design of these trials and patient participation. One of the most important aspects of any clinical trial is the ability to measure the trial's outcome in a manner that will reflect the effect of the treatment and allow its quantification, whether the trial is aimed at preservation or restoration of retinal cells (photoreceptors and others), vision, or both. Here we will review the existing methods for quantification of trial outcomes, stressing the importance of assessing the participant's visual function and not just visual acuity. We will also describe the key considerations in trial design. Finally, as patient safety remains the primary concern in any trial participation, we will outline the key principles in that regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Rosin
- The UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
| | - Eyal Banin
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Jose-Alain Sahel
- The UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, Paris 75012, France
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2
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Corradetti G, Verma A, Tojjar J, Almidani L, Oncel D, Emamverdi M, Bradley A, Lindenberg S, Nittala MG, Sadda SR. Retinal Imaging Findings in Inherited Retinal Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2079. [PMID: 38610844 PMCID: PMC11012835 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent one of the major causes of progressive and irreversible vision loss in the working-age population. Over the last few decades, advances in retinal imaging have allowed for an improvement in the phenotypic characterization of this group of diseases and have facilitated phenotype-to-genotype correlation studies. As a result, the number of clinical trials targeting IRDs has steadily increased, and commensurate to this, the need for novel reproducible outcome measures and endpoints has grown. This review aims to summarize and describe the clinical presentation, characteristic imaging findings, and imaging endpoint measures that are being used in clinical research on IRDs. For the purpose of this review, IRDs have been divided into four categories: (1) panretinal pigmentary retinopathies affecting rods or cones; (2) macular dystrophies; (3) stationary conditions; (4) hereditary vitreoretinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aditya Verma
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jasaman Tojjar
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Louay Almidani
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Deniz Oncel
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60153, USA
| | - Mehdi Emamverdi
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
| | - Alec Bradley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | | | | | - SriniVas R. Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA (J.T.); (L.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Fujinami K, Waheed N, Laich Y, Yang P, Fujinami-Yokokawa Y, Higgins JJ, Lu JT, Curtiss D, Clary C, Michaelides M. Stargardt macular dystrophy and therapeutic approaches. Br J Ophthalmol 2024; 108:495-505. [PMID: 37940365 PMCID: PMC10958310 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2022-323071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Stargardt macular dystrophy (Stargardt disease; STGD1; OMIM 248200) is the most prevalent inherited macular dystrophy. STGD1 is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by multiple pathogenic sequence variants in the large ABCA4 gene (OMIM 601691). Major advances in understanding both the clinical and molecular features, as well as the underlying pathophysiology, have culminated in many completed, ongoing and planned human clinical trials of novel therapies.The aims of this concise review are to describe (1) the detailed phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the disease, multimodal imaging findings, natural history of the disease, and pathogenesis, (2) the multiple avenues of research and therapeutic intervention, including pharmacological, cellular therapies and diverse types of genetic therapies that have either been investigated or are under investigation and (3) the exciting novel therapeutic approaches on the translational horizon that aim to treat STGD1 by replacing the entire 6.8 kb ABCA4 open reading frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Fujinami
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, NHO Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nadia Waheed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yannik Laich
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Eye Center, Medical Center, University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paul Yang
- Oregon Health and Science University Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Yu Fujinami-Yokokawa
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, NHO Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Jonathan T Lu
- SalioGen Therapeutics Inc, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Darin Curtiss
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida, USA
| | - Cathryn Clary
- SalioGen Therapeutics Inc, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Britten-Jones AC, Thai L, Flanagan JPM, Bedggood PA, Edwards TL, Metha AB, Ayton LN. Adaptive optics imaging in inherited retinal diseases: A scoping review of the clinical literature. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:51-66. [PMID: 37778667 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive optics (AO) imaging enables direct, objective assessments of retinal cells. Applications of AO show great promise in advancing our understanding of the etiology of inherited retinal disease (IRDs) and discovering new imaging biomarkers. This scoping review systematically identifies and summarizes clinical studies evaluating AO imaging in IRDs. Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched on February 6, 2023. Studies describing AO imaging in monogenic IRDs were included. Study screening and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers independently. This review presents (1) a broad overview of the dominant areas of research; (2) a summary of IRD characteristics revealed by AO imaging; and (3) a discussion of methodological considerations relating to AO imaging in IRDs. From 140 studies with AO outcomes, including 2 following subretinal gene therapy treatments, 75% included fewer than 10 participants with AO imaging data. Of 100 studies that included participants' genetic diagnoses, the most common IRD genes with AO outcomes are CNGA3, CNGB3, CHM, USH2A, and ABCA4. Confocal reflectance AO scanning laser ophthalmoscopy was the most reported imaging modality, followed by flood-illuminated AO and split-detector AO. The most common outcome was cone density, reported quantitatively in 56% of studies. Future research areas include guidelines to reduce variability in the reporting of AO methodology and a focus on functional AO techniques to guide the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Lawrence Thai
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeremy P M Flanagan
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phillip A Bedggood
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas L Edwards
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew B Metha
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lauren N Ayton
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Bianco L, Arrigo A, Marchese A, Antropoli A, Aragona E, La Franca L, Mauro L, Pina A, Hassan Farah R, Basile G, Bandello F, Battaglia Parodi M. Fixation Location and Stability in Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2023; 3:100329. [PMID: 37304042 PMCID: PMC10251068 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To analyze fixation location and stability in best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and test their association with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Design Observational, cross-sectional study. Participants Thirty patients (55 eyes) affected by genetically confirmed BVMD were followed up at the Retinal Heredodystrophies Unit of IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan. Methods Patients underwent testing with macular integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimeter. Fixation location was measured as distance in degrees (°) between preferred retinal locus (PRL) and estimated fovea location (EFL); fixation was defined as eccentric when the distance between PRL and EFL exceeded 2°. Fixation stability was graded as stable, relatively unstable, or unstable and expressed as bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA, °2). Main Outcome Measures Fixation location and stability. Results The median distance of the PRL from the anatomic fovea was 0.7°, and fixation location was eccentric in 27% of eyes. Fixation was graded as stable in 64% of eyes, relatively unstable in 13%, and unstable in 24%, with a median 95% BCEA of 6.2°2. The atrophic/fibrotic stage was associated with worse fixation parameters (all P < 0.01). Both PRL eccentricity and fixation stability were linearly associated with BCVA: every 1° increase in PRL eccentricity was associated with a 0.07 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) worse BCVA (P < 0.0001) while every 1°2 increase in 95% BCEA was associated with a 0.01 logMAR worse BCVA (P < 0.001). No significant intereye correlation was found for PRL eccentricity and fixation stability, as well as no association between the patient's age and fixation parameters. Conclusions We demonstrated that most eyes affected by BVMD retain a central stable fixation and provided evidence that both fixation eccentricity and stability are strongly associated with visual acuity in BVMD. These parameters may serve as secondary end points for future clinical trials. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Arrigo
- Correspondence: Alessandro Arrigo, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy.
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Schmetterer L, Scholl H, Garhöfer G, Janeschitz-Kriegl L, Corvi F, Sadda SR, Medeiros FA. Endpoints for clinical trials in ophthalmology. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 97:101160. [PMID: 36599784 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
With the identification of novel targets, the number of interventional clinical trials in ophthalmology has increased. Visual acuity has for a long time been considered the gold standard endpoint for clinical trials, but in the recent years it became evident that other endpoints are required for many indications including geographic atrophy and inherited retinal disease. In glaucoma the currently available drugs were approved based on their IOP lowering capacity. Some recent findings do, however, indicate that at the same level of IOP reduction, not all drugs have the same effect on visual field progression. For neuroprotection trials in glaucoma, novel surrogate endpoints are required, which may either include functional or structural parameters or a combination of both. A number of potential surrogate endpoints for ophthalmology clinical trials have been identified, but their validation is complicated and requires solid scientific evidence. In this article we summarize candidates for clinical endpoints in ophthalmology with a focus on retinal disease and glaucoma. Functional and structural biomarkers, as well as quality of life measures are discussed, and their potential to serve as endpoints in pivotal trials is critically evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Schmetterer
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; SERI-NTU Advanced Ocular Engineering (STANCE), Singapore; Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Hendrik Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Garhöfer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucas Janeschitz-Kriegl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Federico Corvi
- Eye Clinic, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Italy
| | - SriniVas R Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Felipe A Medeiros
- Vision, Imaging and Performance Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Al-Khuzaei S, Shah M, Foster CR, Yu J, Broadgate S, Halford S, Downes SM. The role of multimodal imaging and vision function testing in ABCA4-related retinopathies and their relevance to future therapeutic interventions. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2021; 13:25158414211056384. [PMID: 34988368 PMCID: PMC8721514 DOI: 10.1177/25158414211056384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to describe the specific features of Stargardt disease and ABCA4 retinopathies (ABCA4R) using multimodal imaging and functional testing and to highlight their relevance to potential therapeutic interventions. Standardised measures of tissue loss, tissue function and rate of change over time using formal structured deep phenotyping in Stargardt disease and ABCA4R are key in diagnosis, and prognosis as well as when selecting cohorts for therapeutic intervention. In addition, a meticulous documentation of natural history will be invaluable in the future to compare treated with untreated retinas. Despite the familiarity with the term Stargardt disease, this eponymous classification alone is unhelpful when evaluating ABCA4R, as the ABCA4 gene is associated with a number of phenotypes, and a range of severity. Multimodal imaging, psychophysical and electrophysiologic measurements are necessary in diagnosing and characterising these differing retinopathies. A wide range of retinal dystrophy phenotypes are seen in association with ABCA4 mutations. In this article, these will be referred to as ABCA4R. These different phenotypes and the existence of phenocopies present a significant challenge to the clinician. Careful phenotypic characterisation coupled with the genotype enables the clinician to provide an accurate diagnosis, associated inheritance pattern and information regarding prognosis and management. This is particularly relevant now for recruiting to therapeutic trials, and in the future when therapies become available. The importance of accurate genotype-phenotype correlation studies cannot be overemphasised. This approach together with segregation studies can be vital in the identification of causal mutations when variants in more than one gene are being considered as possible. In this article, we give an overview of the current imaging, psychophysical and electrophysiological investigations, as well as current therapeutic research trials for retinopathies associated with the ABCA4 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoud Al-Khuzaei
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mital Shah
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Stephanie Halford
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan M. Downes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6 John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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