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Wang D, Yuan J, Liu HL, Li SL, Ma N, Chen ML, Yuan H, Jie H, Li B, Zhang T. Clinical follow-up investigation on thickness changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:348. [PMID: 39148060 PMCID: PMC11328356 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness changes and analyse factors associated with visual recovery of G11778A Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) patients. METHODS Patients diagnosed with G11778A LHON between July 2017 and December 2020 in Tongji hospital were included in this follow-up study. Patients were grouped according to disease duration. Variations in the RNFL thickness in each quadrant at different disease stages were characterised using optical coherence tomography. According to the absence or presence of significant visual acuity improvements, LHON patients of disease duration ≥ 6 months were divided into two groups. A bivariate logistic regression model was constructed to analyse the potential factors associated with spontaneous visual recovery. RESULTS This study included 56 G11778A LHON patients (112 eyes) and 25 healthy controls (50 eyes), with a mean follow-up of 5.25 ± 1.42 months. All quadrants and mean RNFL thicknesses of LHON patients first increased and then decreased, except for the temporal RNFL. As the disease progressed, RNFL thinning slowed; however, gradual RNFL thinning occurred. Logistic regression revealed that baseline best corrected visual acuity was related to spontaneous visual recovery of LHON patients with disease duration ≥ 6 months. CONCLUSION The pattern of RNFL involvement could be helpful in the differential diagnosis of LHON and other optic neuropathies. LHON patients with better vision are more likely to experience some degree of spontaneous visual acuity recovery after the subacute phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajia Yuan
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong-Li Liu
- Fudan University Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Lian Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng-Lan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Jie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Wuhan Neurophth Biological Technology Limited Company, Wuhan, China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
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Du X, Butler AG, Chen HY. Cell-cell interaction in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1332944. [PMID: 38500685 PMCID: PMC10944940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1332944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The retina is part of the central nervous system specialized for vision. Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogenous disorders that lead to progressive vision impairment or blindness. Although each disorder is rare, IRD accumulatively cause blindness in up to 5.5 million individuals worldwide. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanisms of IRD are not fully understood and there are limited treatment options available. Most IRD are caused by degeneration of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Genetic mutations that abrogate the structure and/or function of photoreceptors lead to visual impairment followed by blindness caused by loss of photoreceptors. In healthy retina, photoreceptors structurally and functionally interact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Multiple IRD with photoreceptor degeneration as a major phenotype are caused by mutations of RPE- and/or MG-associated genes. Recent studies also reveal compromised MG and RPE caused by mutations in ubiquitously expressed ciliary genes. Therefore, photoreceptor degeneration could be a direct consequence of gene mutations and/or could be secondary to the dysfunction of their interaction partners in the retina. This review summarizes the mechanisms of photoreceptor-RPE/MG interaction in supporting retinal functions and discusses how the disruption of these processes could lead to photoreceptor degeneration, with an aim to provide a unique perspective of IRD pathogenesis and treatment paradigm. We will first describe the biology of retina and IRD and then discuss the interaction between photoreceptors and MG/RPE as well as their implications in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will summarize the recent advances in IRD therapeutics targeting MG and/or RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Holly Y. Chen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Keshavan N, Minczuk M, Viscomi C, Rahman S. Gene therapy for mitochondrial disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:145-175. [PMID: 38171948 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we detail the current state of application of gene therapy to primary mitochondrial disorders (PMDs). Recombinant adeno-associated virus-based (rAAV) gene replacement approaches for nuclear gene disorders have been undertaken successfully in more than ten preclinical mouse models of PMDs which has been made possible by the development of novel rAAV technologies that achieve more efficient organ targeting. So far, however, the greatest progress has been made for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, for which phase 3 clinical trials of lenadogene nolparvovec demonstrated efficacy and good tolerability. Other methods of treating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders have also had traction, including refinements to nucleases that degrade mtDNA molecules with pathogenic variants, including transcription activator-like effector nucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, and meganucleases (mitoARCUS). rAAV-based approaches have been used successfully to deliver these nucleases in vivo in mice. Exciting developments in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology have achieved in vivo gene editing in mouse models of PMDs due to nuclear gene defects and new CRISPR-free gene editing approaches have shown great potential for therapeutic application in mtDNA disorders. We conclude the review by discussing the challenges of translating gene therapy in patients both from the point of view of achieving adequate organ transduction as well as clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandaki Keshavan
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlo Viscomi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Shamima Rahman
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
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4
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Ma Q, Sun Y, Lei K, Luo W. Progress in diagnosis and treatment of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:1-10. [PMID: 37982904 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02389-2] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial genetic disease with central vision loss as the main symptom. It is one of the diseases that cause vision loss and optic atrophy in young and middle-aged people. The mutations of these three primary mitochondrial mutations, m.11778G>A, m.14484T>C, and m.3460G>A, are the main molecular basis, but their pathogenesis is also affected by nuclear genes, mitochondrial genetic background, and environmental factors. This article summarizes the research progress on molecular pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, and treatment of LHON in recent years, aiming to summarize the genetic pathogenesis and clinical treatment points of LHON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Sun
- The Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ke Lei
- Center of Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Wenjuan Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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He X, Fu Y, Ma L, Yao Y, Ge S, Yang Z, Fan X. AAV for Gene Therapy in Ocular Diseases: Progress and Prospects. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0291. [PMID: 38188726 PMCID: PMC10768554 DOI: 10.34133/research.0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Owing to the promising therapeutic effect and one-time treatment advantage, gene therapy may completely change the management of eye diseases, especially retinal diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is considered one of the most promising viral gene delivery tools because it can infect various types of tissues and is considered as a relatively safe gene delivery vector. The eye is one of the most popular organs for gene therapy, since its limited volume is suitable for small doses of AAV stably transduction. Recently, an increasing number of clinical trials of AAV-mediated gene therapy are underway. This review summarizes the biological functions of AAV and its application in the treatment of various ocular diseases, as well as the characteristics of different AAV delivery routes in clinical applications. Here, the latest research progresses in AAV-mediated gene editing and silencing strategies to modify that the genetic ocular diseases are systematically outlined, especially by base editing and prime editing. We discuss the progress of AAV in ocular optogenetic therapy. We also summarize the application of AAV-mediated gene therapy in animal models and the difficulties in its clinical transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidian Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University; Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease,
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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Chou TH, Hao Z, Alba D, Lazo A, Gallo Afflitto G, Eastwood JD, Porciatti V, Guy J, Yu H. Mitochondrially Targeted Gene Therapy Rescues Visual Loss in a Mouse Model of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17068. [PMID: 38069388 PMCID: PMC10707051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a common mitochondrial genetic disease, causing irreversible blindness in young individuals. Current treatments are inadequate, and there is no definitive cure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of delivering wildtype human NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit 4 (hND4) gene using mito-targeted AAV(MTSAAV) to rescue LHOH mice. We observed a declining pattern in electroretinograms amplitudes as mice aged across all groups (p < 0.001), with significant differences among groups (p = 0.023; Control vs. LHON, p = 0.008; Control vs. Rescue, p = 0.228). Inner retinal thickness and intraocular pressure did not change significantly with age or groups. Compared to LHON mice, those rescued with wildtype hND4 exhibited improved retinal visual acuity (0.29 ± 0.1 cy/deg vs. 0.15 ± 0.1 cy/deg) and increased functional hyperemia response (effect of flicker, p < 0.001, effect of Group, p = 0.004; Interaction Flicker × Group, p < 0.001). Postmortem analysis shows a marked reduction in retinal ganglion cell density in the LHON group compared to the other groups (Effect of Group, p < 0.001, Control vs. LHON, p < 0.001, Control vs. Rescue, p = 0.106). These results suggest that MTSAAV-delivered wildtype hND4 gene rescues, at least in part, visual impairment in an LHON mouse model and has the therapeutic potential to treat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (T.-H.C.); (Z.H.); (D.A.); (A.L.); (G.G.A.); (J.D.E.); (J.G.)
| | | | - Hong Yu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (T.-H.C.); (Z.H.); (D.A.); (A.L.); (G.G.A.); (J.D.E.); (J.G.)
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Sobh M, Lagali PS, Ghiasi M, Montroy J, Dollin M, Hurley B, Leonard BC, Dimopoulos I, Lafreniere M, Fergusson DA, Lalu MM, Tsilfidis C. Safety and Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Therapy in Patients With Retinal Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:24. [PMID: 37982768 PMCID: PMC10668613 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.11.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of ocular gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV). Methods MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched systematically for controlled or non-controlled interventional gene therapy studies using key words related to retinal diseases, gene therapy, and AAV vectors. The primary outcome measure was safety, based on ocular severe adverse events (SAEs). Secondary outcome measures evaluated efficacy of the therapy based on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and improvements in visual sensitivity and systemic involvement following ocular delivery. Pooling was done using a DerSimonian Laird random effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, version 1. Results Our search identified 3548 records. Of these, 80 publications met eligibility criteria, representing 28 registered clinical trials and 5 postmarket surveillance studies involving AAV gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), choroideremia, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), X-linked retinoschisis, and achromatopsia. Overall, AAV therapy vectors were associated with a cumulative incidence of at least one SAE of 8% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] of 5% to 12%). SAEs were often associated with the surgical procedure rather than the therapeutic vector itself. Poor or inconsistent reporting of adverse events (AEs) were a limitation for the meta-analysis. The proportion of patients with any improvement in BCVA and visual sensitivity was 41% (95% CIs of 31% to 51%) and 51% (95% CIs of 31% to 70%), respectively. Systemic immune involvement was associated with a cumulative incidence of 31% (95% CI = 21% to 42%). Conclusions AAV gene therapy vectors appear to be safe but the surgical procedure required to deliver them is associated with some risk. The large variability in efficacy can be attributed to the small number of patients treated, the heterogeneity of the population and the variability in dosage, volume, and follow-up. Translational Relevance This systematic review will help to inform and guide future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Sobh
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S. Lagali
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Ghiasi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Montroy
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Dollin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard Hurley
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ioannis Dimopoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Lafreniere
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dean A. Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manoj M. Lalu
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Tsilfidis
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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McGrady NR, Boal AM, Risner ML, Taiel M, Sahel JA, Calkins DJ. Ocular stress enhances contralateral transfer of lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy through astrocyte networks. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2005-2013. [PMID: 37016579 PMCID: PMC10362393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.035] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lenadogene nolparvovec (GS010) was developed to treat a point mutation in mitochondrial ND4 that causes Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. GS010 delivers human cDNA encoding wild-type ND4 packaged into an rAAV2/2 vector that transduces retinal ganglion cells, to induce allotopic expression of hybrid mitochondrial ND4. GS010 clinical trials improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) up to 5 years after treatment. Interestingly, unilateral treatment improved BCVA bilaterally. Subsequent studies revealed GS010 DNA in visual tissues contralateral to the injected eye, suggesting migration. Here we tested whether unilateral intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation could influence the transfer of viral ND4 RNA in contralateral tissues after GS010 delivery to the IOP-elevated eye and probed a potential mechanism mediating translocation in mice. We found IOP elevation enhanced viral ND4 RNA transcripts in contralateral visual tissues, including retinas. Using conditional transgenic mice, we depleted astrocytic gap junction connexin 43 (Cx43), required for distant redistribution of metabolic resources between astrocytes during stress. After unilateral IOP elevation and GS010 injection, Cx43 knockdown eradicated ND4 RNA transcript detection in contralateral retinal tissues, while transcript was still detectable in optic nerves. Overall, our study indicates long-range migration of GS010 product to contralateral visual tissues is enhanced by Cx43-linked astrocyte networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M Boal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael L Risner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Jose A Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Velmurugan S, Chou TH, Eastwood JD, Porciatti V, Liu Y, Hauswirth WW, Guy J, Yu H. Comparison of different gene-therapy methods to treat Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in a mouse model. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1119724. [PMID: 37051151 PMCID: PMC10083341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1119724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionTherapies for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), in common with all disorders caused by mutated mitochondrial DNA, are inadequate. We have developed two gene therapy strategies for the disease: mitochondrial-targeted and allotopic expressed and compared them in a mouse model of LHON.MethodsA LHON mouse model was generated by intravitreal injection of a mitochondrialtargeted Adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying mutant human NADH dehydrogenase 4 gene (hND4/m.11778G>A) to induce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and axon loss, the hallmark of the human disease. We then attempted to rescue those mice using a second intravitreal injection of either mitochondrial-targeted or allotopic expressed wildtype human ND4. The rescue of RGCs and their axons were assessed using serial pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and transmission electron microscopy.ResultsCompared to non-rescued LHON controls where PERG amplitude was much reduced, both strategies significantly preserved PERG amplitude over 15 months. However, the rescue effect was more marked with mitochondrial-targeted therapy than with allotopic therapy (p = 0.0128). Post-mortem analysis showed that mitochondrial-targeted human ND4 better preserved small axons that are preferentially lost in human LHON.ConclusionsThese results in a pre-clinical mouse model of LHON suggest that mitochondrially-targeted AAV gene therapy, compared to allotopic AAV gene therapy, is more efficient in rescuing the LHON phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Velmurugan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Tsung-Han Chou
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jeremy D. Eastwood
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Vittorio Porciatti,
| | - Yuan Liu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - William W. Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Guy
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Hong Yu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Hong Yu,
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10
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Ahmed CM, Massengill MT, Ildefonso CJ, Jalligampala A, Zhu P, Li H, Patel AP, McCall MA, Lewin AS. Binocular benefit following monocular subretinal AAV injection in a mouse model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Vision Res 2023; 206:108189. [PMID: 36773475 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108189] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is frequently caused by mutations in RHO, the gene for rhodopsin. In previous experiments in dogs with the T4R mutation in RHO, an AAV2/5 vector expressing an shRNA directed to human and dog RHO mRNA and an shRNA-resistant human RHO cDNA (AAV-RHO820-shRNA820) prevented retinal degeneration for more than eight months following injection. It is crucial, however, to determine if this RNA replacement vector acts in a mutation-independent and species-independent manner. We, therefore, injected mice transgenic for human P23H RHO with this vector unilaterally at postnatal day 30. We monitored their retinal structure by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and retinal function using electroretinography (ERG) for nine months. We compared these to P23H RHO transgenic mice injected unilaterally with a control vector. Though retinas continued to thin over time, compared to control injected eyes, treatment with AAV-RHO820-shRNA820 slowed the loss of photoreceptor cells and the decrease in ERG amplitudes during the nine-month study period. Unexpectedly, we also observed the preservation of retinal structure and function in the untreated contralateral eyes of AAV-RHO820-shRNA820 treated mice. PCR analysis and western blots showed that a low amount of vector from injected eyes was present in uninjected eyes. In addition, protective neurotrophic factors bFGF and GDNF were elevated in both eyes of treated mice. Our finding suggests that using this or similar RNA replacement vectors in human gene therapy may provide clinical benefit to both eyes of patients with adRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chulbul M Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael T Massengill
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Archana Jalligampala
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anil P Patel
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maureen A McCall
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Alfred S Lewin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Biousse V, Carelli V. Understanding the molecular basis and pathogenesis of hereditary optic neuropathies: towards improved diagnosis and management. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:172-188. [PMID: 36155660 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary optic neuropathies result from defects in the human genome, both nuclear and mitochondrial. The two main and most recognised phenotypes are dominant optic atrophy and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Advances in modern molecular diagnosis have expanded our knowledge of genotypes and phenotypes of inherited disorders that affect the optic nerve, either alone or in combination, with various forms of neurological and systemic degeneration. A unifying feature in the pathophysiology of these disorders appears to involve mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that the retinal ganglion cells and their axons are especially susceptible to perturbations in mitochondrial homoeostasis. As we better understand the pathogenesis behind these genetic diseases, aetiologically targeted therapies are emerging and entering into clinical trials, including treatments aimed at halting the cascade of neurodegeneration, replacing or editing the defective genes or their protein products, and potentially regenerating damaged optic nerves, as well as preventing generational disease transmission.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Optic Nerve Diseases/diagnosis
- Optic Nerve Diseases/genetics
- Optic Nerve Diseases/therapy
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/diagnosis
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/genetics
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/therapy
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/diagnosis
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/genetics
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/therapy
- Optic Nerve
- Mitochondria/genetics
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Mitochondria/pathology
- DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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12
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Carelli V, Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Biousse V, Moster ML, Subramanian PS, Vignal-Clermont C, Wang AG, Donahue SP, Leroy BP, Sergott RC, Klopstock T, Sadun AA, Rebolleda Fernández G, Chwalisz BK, Banik R, Girmens JF, La Morgia C, DeBusk AA, Jurkute N, Priglinger C, Karanjia R, Josse C, Salzmann J, Montestruc F, Roux M, Taiel M, Sahel JA. Indirect Comparison of Lenadogene Nolparvovec Gene Therapy Versus Natural History in Patients with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Carrying the m.11778G>A MT-ND4 Mutation. Ophthalmol Ther 2023; 12:401-429. [PMID: 36449262 PMCID: PMC9834474 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00611-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lenadogene nolparvovec is a promising novel gene therapy for patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) carrying the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation (MT-ND4). A previous pooled analysis of phase 3 studies showed an improvement in visual acuity of patients injected with lenadogene nolparvovec compared to natural history. Here, we report updated results by incorporating data from the latest phase 3 trial REFLECT in the pool, increasing the number of treated patients from 76 to 174. METHODS The visual acuity of 174 MT-ND4-carrying patients with LHON injected in one or both eyes with lenadogene nolparvovec from four pooled phase 3 studies (REVERSE, RESCUE and their long-term extension trial RESTORE; and REFLECT trial) was compared to the spontaneous evolution of an external control group of 208 matched patients from 11 natural history studies. RESULTS Treated patients showed a clinically relevant and sustained improvement in their visual acuity when compared to natural history. Mean improvement versus natural history was - 0.30 logMAR (+ 15 ETDRS letters equivalent) at last observation (P < 0.01) with a maximal follow-up of 3.9 years after injection. Most treated eyes were on-chart as compared to less than half of natural history eyes at 48 months after vision loss (89.6% versus 48.1%; P < 0.01) and at last observation (76.1% versus 44.4%; P < 0.01). When we adjusted for covariates of interest (gender, age of onset, ethnicity, and duration of follow-up), the estimated mean gain was - 0.43 logMAR (+ 21.5 ETDRS letters equivalent) versus natural history at last observation (P < 0.0001). Treatment effect was consistent across all phase 3 clinical trials. Analyses from REFLECT suggest a larger treatment effect in patients receiving bilateral injection compared to unilateral injection. CONCLUSION The efficacy of lenadogene nolparvovec in improving visual acuity in MT-ND4 LHON was confirmed in a large cohort of patients, compared to the spontaneous natural history decline. Bilateral injection of gene therapy may offer added benefits over unilateral injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02652780 (REVERSE); NCT02652767 (RESCUE); NCT03406104 (RESTORE); NCT03293524 (REFLECT); NCT03295071 (REALITY).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Carelli
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Via Altura, 3, 40139, Bologna, BO, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mark L Moster
- Department of Neurology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Prem S Subramanian
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers University of Colorado Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - An-Guor Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sean P Donahue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Department of Neurology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- David Geffen, Doheny Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Bart K Chwalisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rudrani Banik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean François Girmens
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Via Altura, 3, 40139, Bologna, BO, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Adam A DeBusk
- Department of Neurology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Neringa Jurkute
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Claudia Priglinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rustum Karanjia
- David Geffen, Doheny Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa Eye, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Constant Josse
- eXYSTAT, Data Management and Statistic, Malakoff, France
| | | | | | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
- Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
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Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy with Mitochondrial DNA Mutation G11778A: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:1107866. [PMID: 36743514 PMCID: PMC9893526 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1107866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Background LHON is a progressive disease with early disease onset and male predominance, usually causing devastating visual loss to patients. These systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at summarizing epidemiology, disease onset and progression, visual recovery, risk factors, and treatment options of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) with mitochondrial DNA mutation G11778A from current evidence. Methods The PubMed database was examined from its inception date to November 2021. Data from included studies were pooled with either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model, depending on the results of heterogeneity tests. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of results. Results A total of 41 articles were included in the systematic review for qualitative analysis, and 34 articles were included for quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of proportion of G11778A mutation among the three primary mutations of mitochondrial DNA (G11778A, G3460A, and T14484C) for LHON was 73% (95% CI: 67% and 79%), and the LHON patients with G11778A mutation included the pooled male ratio estimate of 77% (76% and 79%), the pooled age estimate of 35.3 years (33.2 years and 37.3 years), the pooled onset age estimate of 22.1 years (19.7 years and 24.6 years), the pooled visual acuity estimate of 1.4 LogMAR (1.2 LogMAR and 1.6 LogMAR), and the pooled estimate of spontaneous visual recovery rate (in either 1 eye) of 20% (15% and 27%). Conclusions The G11778A mutation is a prevalent mitochondrial DNA mutation accounting for over half of LHON cases with three primary mutations. Spontaneous visual recovery is rare, and no effective treatment is currently available.
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14
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Vignal-Clermont C, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ, Carelli V, Moster ML, Biousse V, Subramanian PS, Wang AG, Donahue SP, Leroy BP, Sadun AA, Klopstock T, Sergott RC, Fernandez R, Chwalisz BK, Banik R, Taiel M, Roux M, Sahel JA. Safety of Lenadogene Nolparvovec Gene Therapy Over 5 Years in 189 Patients With Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 249:108-125. [PMID: 36496192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the safety profile of lenadogene nolparvovec (Lumevoq) in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. DESIGN Pooled analysis of safety data from 5 clinical studies. METHODS A total of 189 patients received single unilateral or bilateral intravitreal injections of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2/2) vector encoding the human wild-type ND4 gene. Adverse events (AEs) were collected throughout the studies, up to 5 years. Intraocular inflammation and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) were ocular AEs of special interest. Other assessments included ocular examinations, vector bio-dissemination, and systemic immune responses against rAAV2/2. RESULTS Almost all patients (95.2%) received 9 × 1010 viral genomes and 87.8% had at least 2 years of follow-up. Most patients (75.1%) experienced at least one systemic AE, but systemic treatment-related AEs occurred in 3 patients; none were serious. Intraocular inflammation was reported in 75.6% of lenadogene nolparvovec-treated eyes. Almost all intraocular inflammations occurred in the anterior chamber (58.8%) or in the vitreous (40.3%), and were of mild (90.3%) or moderate (8.8%) intensity; most resolved with topical corticosteroids alone. All IOP increases were mild to moderate in intensity. No AE led to study discontinuation. Bio-dissemination of lenadogene nolparvovec and systemic immune response were limited. The safety profile was comparable for patients treated bilaterally and unilaterally. CONCLUSIONS Lenadogene nolparvovec had a good overall safety profile with excellent systemic tolerability, consistent with limited bio-dissemination. The product was well tolerated, with mostly mild ocular side effects responsive to conventional ophthalmologic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- From Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France (C.V-C.); Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France (C.V-C.).
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (P.Y-W-M.); Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK (P.Y-W-M.); UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK (P.Y-W-M.); Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA (P.Y-W-M.)
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy (V.C.); Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Mark L Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA (M.L.M.)
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA (P.Y-W-M.)
| | - Prem S Subramanian
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers University of Colorado Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA (P.S.S.)
| | - An-Guor Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan (A-G.W.)
| | - Sean P Donahue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA (S.P.D.)
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (B.P.L.)
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA (A.A.S.); Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA (A.A.S.)
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany (T.K.); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany (T.K.); Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany (T.K.)
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA (M.L.M.)
| | | | - Bart K Chwalisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA (B.K.C.); Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA (B.K.C.)
| | - Rudrani Banik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (R.B.)
| | | | - Michel Roux
- GenSight Biologics, Paris, France (M.T., M.R.)
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France (J-A.S.); Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France (J-A.S.); Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (J-A.S.); Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France (J-A.S.)
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15
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Chen BS, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ. Developments in the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2022; 22:881-892. [PMID: 36414808 PMCID: PMC9750907 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-022-01246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSEOF REVIEW To outline the current landscape of treatments for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) along the therapeutic delivery pipeline, exploring the mechanisms of action and evidence for these therapeutic approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Treatments for LHON can be broadly classified as either mutation-specific or mutation-independent. Mutation-specific therapies aim to correct the underlying mutation through the use of a gene-editing platform or replace the faulty mitochondrial DNA-encoded protein by delivering the wild-type gene using a suitable vector. Recent gene therapy clinical trials assessing the efficacy of allotopically expressed MT-ND4 for the treatment of LHON due to the m.11778G > A mutation in MT-ND4 have shown positive results when treated within 12 months of symptom onset. Mutation-independent therapies can have various downstream targets that aim to improve mitochondrial respiration, reduce mitochondrial stress, inhibit or delay retinal ganglion cell apoptosis, and/or promote retinal ganglion cell survival. Idebenone, a synthetic hydrosoluble analogue of co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), is the only approved treatment for LHON. Mutation-independent approaches to gene therapy under pre-clinical investigation for other neurodegenerative disorders may have the potential to benefit patients with LHON. Although approved treatments are presently limited, innovations in gene therapy and editing are driving the expansion of the therapeutic delivery pipeline for LHON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson S Chen
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Davila-Siliezar P, Carter M, Milea D, Lee AG. Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: new and emerging therapies. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2022; 33:574-578. [PMID: 36066375 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review recent therapeutic advances in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). RECENT FINDINGS Idebenone, a synthetic analog of ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is an antioxidant and component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Since the initial approval of the drug in 2015 in Europe, recent trials have evaluated its role as prolonged treatment in LHON. Gene therapy has recently emerged as a promising alternative for the treatment of LHON. Among several investigations, RESCUE and REVERSE are two phase 3 clinical trials of gene therapy in patients with LHON in early stages. Results in these trials have shown a bilateral visual acuity improvement with unilateral intravitreal injections at 96 weeks and sustained visual improvement after 3 years of treatment. The most recent REFLECT phase 3 clinical trial in LHON has shown significant improvement of vision after bilateral intravitreal injections compared with the group that received unilateral injections. SUMMARY Historically, LHON has been considered an untreatable disease, but recent developments show that new pharmacological and gene therapy approaches may lead to visual recovery. Further studies are needed to support these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Davila-Siliezar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Dan Milea
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Singapore Eye Research Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrew G Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, School of Medicine, Galveston, Texas
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences The university of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX
- Department of head and neck surgery, division of surgery UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Texas A and M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
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Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Molecular Pathophysiology and Updates on Gene Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081930. [PMID: 36009477 PMCID: PMC9405679 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular pathophysiology of LHON was reviewed and the current status of gene therapy for LHON is updated.
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18
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Chen BS, Yu-Wai-Man P. From Bench to Bedside-Delivering Gene Therapy for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2022; 12:a041282. [PMID: 35863905 PMCID: PMC9310952 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a rare, maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder that presents with severe bilateral sequential vision loss, due to the selective degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Since the mitochondrial genetic basis for LHON was uncovered in 1988, considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms driving RGC loss, which has enabled the development of therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating the underlying mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we explore the genetics of LHON, from bench to bedside, focusing on the pathogenetic mechanisms and how these have informed the development of different gene therapy approaches, in particular the technique of allotopic expression with adeno-associated viral vectors. Finally, we provide an overview of the recent gene therapy clinical trials and consider the unanswered questions, challenges, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson S Chen
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
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19
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Newman NJ, Schniederjan M, Mendoza PR, Calkins DJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Biousse V, Carelli V, Taiel M, Rugiero F, Singh P, Rogue A, Sahel JA, Ancian P. Absence of lenadogene nolparvovec DNA in a brain tumor biopsy from a patient in the REVERSE clinical study, a case report. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:257. [PMID: 35820885 PMCID: PMC9277876 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a rare, maternally-inherited mitochondrial disease that primarily affects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons in the optic nerve, leading to irreversible, bilateral severe vision loss. Lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy was developed as a treatment for patients with vision loss from LHON caused by the most prevalent m.11778G > A mitochondrial DNA point mutation in the MT-ND4 gene. Lenadogene nolparvovec is a replication-defective recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 2 serotype 2 (AAV2/2), encoding the human wild-type MT-ND4 protein. Lenadogene nolparvovec was administered by intravitreal injection (IVT) in LHON patients harboring the m.11778G > A ND4 mutation in a clinical development program including one phase 1/2 study (REVEAL), three phase 3 pivotal studies (REVERSE, RESCUE, REFLECT), and one long-term follow-up study (RESTORE, the follow-up of REVERSE and RESCUE patients). CASE PRESENTATION A 67-year-old woman with MT-ND4 LHON, included in the REVERSE clinical study, received a unilateral IVT of lenadogene nolparvovec in the right eye and a sham injection in the left eye in May 2016, 11.4 months and 8.8 months after vision loss in her right and left eyes, respectively. The patient had a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast at the time of diagnosis of LHON. Two years after treatment administration, BCVA had improved in both eyes. The product was well tolerated with mild and resolutive anterior chamber inflammation in the treated eye. In May 2019, the patient was diagnosed with a right temporal lobe glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, World Health Organization grade 4, based on histological analysis of a tumor excision. The brain tumor was assessed for the presence of vector DNA by using a sensitive validated qPCR assay targeting the ND4 sequence of the vector. CONCLUSION ND4 DNA was not detected (below 15.625 copies/μg of genomic DNA) in DNA extracted from the brain tumor, while a housekeeping gene DNA was detected at high levels. Taken together, this data shows the absence of detection of lenadogene nolparvovec in a brain tumor (glioblastoma) of a treated patient in the REVERSE clinical trial 3 years after gene therapy administration, supporting the long-term favorable safety of lenadogene nolparvovec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Matthew Schniederjan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pia R Mendoza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Magali Taiel
- GenSight Biologics, 74 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
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Burgess FR, Hall HN, Megaw R. Emerging Gene Manipulation Strategies for the Treatment of Monogenic Eye Disease. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:380-391. [PMID: 36041151 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic eye diseases, representing a wide spectrum of simple and complex conditions, are one of the leading causes of visual loss in children and working adults, and progress in the field has led to changes in disease investigation, diagnosis, and management. The past 15 years have seen the emergence of novel therapies for these previously untreatable conditions to the extent that we now have a licensed therapy for one form of genetic eye disease and many more in clinical trial. This is a systematic review of published and ongoing clinical trials of gene therapies for monogenic eye diseases. Databases of clinical trials and the published literature were searched for interventional studies of gene therapies for eye diseases. Standard methodological procedures were used to assess the relevance of search results. A total of 59 registered clinical trials are referenced, showing the significant level of interest in the potential for translation of these therapies from bench to bedside. The breadth of therapy design is encouraging, providing multiple possible therapeutic mechanisms. Some fundamental questions regarding gene therapy for genetic eye diseases remain, such as optimal dosing, the relative benefits of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-packaging and the potential for a significant inflammatory response to the therapy itself. As a result, despite the promise of the eye as a target, it has proven difficult to deliver clinically effective gene therapies to the eye. Despite setbacks, the licensing of Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec, Novartis) for the treatment of RPE65-mediated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a major advance in efforts to treat these rare, but devastating, causes of visual loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick R Burgess
- Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, NHS Lothian, UK
- Ophthalmology Department, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, UK
| | - Hildegard Nikki Hall
- Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, NHS Lothian, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Roly Megaw
- Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, NHS Lothian, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, UK
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21
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Updated Review of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00729-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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22
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Stramkauskaitė A, Povilaityte I, Glebauskiene B, Liutkeviciene R. Clinical Overview of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Acta Med Litu 2022; 29:9-18. [PMID: 36061944 PMCID: PMC9428633 DOI: 10.15388/amed.2022.29.1.19] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leber hereditary ptic neuropathy (LHON) is a disease of young adults with bilateral, painless, subacute visual loss. The peak age of onset of LHON is in the second and third decades of life. Men are 4 times more likely to be affected than women. In about 25-50% of cases, both eyes are affected simultaneously. In unilateral cases, the other eye is usually affected 2 to 3 months later. Visual acuity deteriorates to counting fingers or worse with a dense central or centrocecal scotoma. In the subacute phase, the optic disc may appear hyperemic with swelling of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer, peripapillary telangiectasias, and increased vascular tortuosity. Ocular coherence tomography of the macula shows marked thinning of the ganglion cell complex even at this stage. The diagnosis of LHON is made in a subject with a consistent clinical history and/or one of three common pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants identified by molecular genetic testing. Idebenone was approved by the European Medicines Agency under exceptional circumstances for the treatment of LHON. Current evidence suggests some benefit to vision in a subset of affected individuals treated with idebenone, particularly when treated within the first year of onset of vision loss. In this article, we discuss aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis, differential dignosis, prognosis and treatment.
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23
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Wang Q, Milea D, Lee AG. Gene therapy for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: time to include a true placebo arm? Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 241:A11-A12. [PMID: 35636498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Milea
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Andrew G Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas A and M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.
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24
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Gene therapy restores mitochondrial function and protects retinal ganglion cells in optic neuropathy induced by a mito-targeted mutant ND1 gene. Gene Ther 2022; 29:368-378. [PMID: 35383288 PMCID: PMC9233058 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapies for genetic disorders caused by mutated mitochondrial DNA are an unmet need, in large part due barriers in delivering DNA to the organelle and the absence of relevant animal models. We injected into mouse eyes a mitochondrially targeted Adeno-Associated-Virus (MTS-AAV) to deliver the mutant human NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit I (hND1/m.3460G>A) responsible for Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, the most common primary mitochondrial genetic disease. We show that the expression of the mutant hND1 delivered to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) layer colocalizes with the mitochondrial marker PORIN and the assembly of the expressed hND1 protein into host respiration complex I. The hND1 injected eyes exhibit hallmarks of the human disease with progressive loss of RGC function and number, as well as optic nerve degeneration. We also show that gene therapy in the hND1 eyes by means of an injection of a second MTS-AAV vector carrying wild type human ND1 restores mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity, the rate of ATP synthesis and protects RGCs and their axons from dysfunction and degeneration. These results prove that MTS-AAV is a highly efficient gene delivery approach with the ability to create mito-animal models and has the therapeutic potential to treat mitochondrial genetic diseases.
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25
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Natural history of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy-results from the REALITY study. Eye (Lond) 2022; 36:818-826. [PMID: 33911213 PMCID: PMC8956580 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01535-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES REALITY is an international observational retrospective registry of LHON patients evaluating the visual course and outcome in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). SUBJECTS/METHODS Demographics and visual function data were collected from medical charts of LHON patients with visual loss. The study was conducted in 11 study centres in the United States of America and Europe. The collection period extended from the presymptomatic stage to at least more than one year after onset of vision loss (chronic stage). A Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS) local regression model was used to analyse the evolution of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time. RESULTS 44 LHON patients were included; 27 (61%) carried the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation, 8 (18%) carried the m.3460G>A ND1 mutation, and 9 (20%) carried the m.14484T>C ND6 mutation. Fourteen (32%) patients were under 18 years old at onset of vision loss and 5 (11%) were below the age of 12. The average duration of follow-up was 32.5 months after onset of symptoms. At the last observed measure, mean BCVA was 1.46 LogMAR in ND4 patients, 1.52 LogMAR in ND1 patients, and 0.97 LogMAR in ND6 patients. The worst visual outcomes were reported in ND4 patients aged at least 15 years old at onset, with a mean BCVA of 1.55 LogMAR and no tendency for spontaneous recovery. The LOESS modelling curve depicted a severe and permanent deterioration of BCVA. CONCLUSIONS Amongst LHON patients with the three primary mtDNA mutations, adult patients with the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation had the worst visual outcomes, consistent with prior reports.
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26
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Jiang J, Sun G, Miao Q, Li B, Wang D, Yuan J, Chen C. Observation of Peripapillary Choroidal Vascularity in Natural Disease Course and After Gene Therapy for Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:770069. [PMID: 34950684 PMCID: PMC8691380 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.770069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To compare peripapillary choroidal vascularity among Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) patients at different stages of natural course and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to evaluate peripapillary choroidal vascularity changes in LHON patients before and after gene therapy. Methods: 57 LHON patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. LHON patients were divided into three duration groups based on stage of disease progression. Both patients and healthy controls underwent OCT scans focused on the optic disc at baseline with Heidelberg Spectralis, and patients underwent OCT at 1, 3, and 6 months after gene therapy. OCT images were converted and binarized using ImageJ software. Choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area (TCA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in each quadrant of OCT images were measured to evaluate peripapillary choroidal vascularity. Results: At baseline, the average CT was not significantly different between LHON patients at different stages and between healthy controls (P = 0.468). Although average TCA and average CVI were slightly higher in LHON patients at different stages than in healthy controls, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.282 and 0.812, respectively). After gene therapy, The average TCA at 1 month after gene therapy was significantly higher than that before gene therapy (P = 0.003), while no significant differences were found in the average CT or average CVI in LHON patients before and 1,3 and 6 months after gene therapy using pairwise comparisons (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: No significant difference was found in choroidal vascularity of LHON patients at different stages and healthy controls. Choroidal vascularity seems to stay stable after gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Jiang
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gongpeng Sun
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingmei Miao
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Neurophth Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajia Yuan
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Changzheng Chen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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27
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Calkins DJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ, Taiel M, Singh P, Chalmey C, Rogue A, Carelli V, Ancian P, Sahel JA. Biodistribution of intravitreal lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy in nonhuman primates. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:307-318. [PMID: 34729378 PMCID: PMC8526752 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lenadogene nolparvovec (Lumevoq) gene therapy was developed to treat Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) caused by the m.11778G > A in MT-ND4 that affects complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Lenadogene nolparvovec is a replication-defective, single-stranded DNA recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 2 serotype 2, containing a codon-optimized complementary DNA encoding the human wild-type MT-ND4 subunit protein. Lenadogene nolparvovec was administered by unilateral intravitreal injection in MT-ND4 LHON patients in two randomized, double-masked, and sham-controlled phase III clinical trials (REVERSE and RESCUE), resulting in bilateral improvement of visual acuity. These and other earlier results suggest that lenadogene nolparvovec may travel from the treated to the untreated eye. To investigate this possibility further, lenadogene nolparvovec was unilaterally injected into the vitreous body of the right eye of healthy, nonhuman primates. Viral vector DNA was quantifiable in all eye and optic nerve tissues of the injected eye and was detected at lower levels in some tissues of the contralateral, noninjected eye, and optic projections, at 3 and 6 months after injection. The results suggest that lenadogene nolparvovec transfers from the injected to the noninjected eye, thus providing a potential explanation for the bilateral improvement of visual function observed in the LHON patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nancy J. Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Magali Taiel
- GenSight Biologics, 74 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica, Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - José A. Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
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28
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Sahel JA, Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Vignal-Clermont C, Carelli V, Biousse V, Moster ML, Sergott R, Klopstock T, Sadun AA, Blouin L, Katz B, Taiel M. Gene Therapies for the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:195-208. [PMID: 34584057 PMCID: PMC8478322 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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29
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Nuzbrokh Y, Ragi SD, Tsang SH. Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1278. [PMID: 34532415 PMCID: PMC8421966 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a genetically variable collection of devastating disorders that lead to significant visual impairment. Advances in genetic characterization over the past two decades have allowed identification of over 260 causative mutations associated with inherited retinal disorders. Thought to be incurable, gene supplementation therapy offers great promise in treating various forms of these blinding conditions. In gene replacement therapy, a disease-causing gene is replaced with a functional copy of the gene. These therapies are designed to slow disease progression and hopefully restore visual function. Gene therapies are typically delivered to target retinal cells by subretinal (SR) or intravitreal (IVT) injection. The historic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of voretigene neparvovec for RPE65-associated Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) spurred tremendous optimism surrounding retinal gene therapy for various other monogenic IRDs. Novel disease-causing mutations continue to be discovered annually, and targeted genetic therapy is now under development in clinical and preclinical models for many IRDs. Numerous clinical trials for other IRDs are ongoing or have recently completed. Disorders being targeted for genetic therapy include retinitis pigmentosa (RP), choroideremia (CHM), achromatopsia (ACHM), Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, usher syndrome (USH), X-linked retinoschisis, and Stargardt disease. Here, we provide an update of completed, ongoing, and planned clinical trials using gene supplementation strategies for retinal degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Nuzbrokh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA.,Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara D Ragi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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30
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Ji MH, Kreymerman A, Belle K, Ghiam BK, Muscat SR, Mahajan VB, Enns GM, Mercola M, Wood EH. The Present and Future of Mitochondrial-Based Therapeutics for Eye Disease. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:4. [PMID: 34232272 PMCID: PMC8267180 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.8.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational Relevance Mitochondria are viable therapeutic targets for a broad spectrum of ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco H Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Kreymerman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kinsley Belle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin K Ghiam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie R Muscat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Vinit B Mahajan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M Enns
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mark Mercola
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Edward H Wood
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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31
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Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ, Carelli V, Moster ML, Biousse V, Sadun AA, Klopstock T, Vignal-Clermont C, Sergott RC, Rudolph G, La Morgia C, Karanjia R, Taiel M, Blouin L, Burguière P, Smits G, Chevalier C, Masonson H, Salermo Y, Katz B, Picaud S, Calkins DJ, Sahel JA. Bilateral visual improvement with unilateral gene therapy injection for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/573/eaaz7423. [PMID: 33298565 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz7423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
REVERSE is a randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of rAAV2/2-ND4 in subjects with visual loss from Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). A total of 37 subjects carrying the m.11778G>A (MT-ND4) mutation and with duration of vision loss between 6 to 12 months were treated. Each subject's right eye was randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with rAAV2/2-ND4 (GS010) or sham injection. The left eye received the treatment not allocated to the right eye. Unexpectedly, sustained visual improvement was observed in both eyes over the 96-week follow-up period. At week 96, rAAV2/2-ND4-treated eyes showed a mean improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of -0.308 LogMAR (+15 ETDRS letters). A mean improvement of -0.259 LogMAR (+13 ETDRS letters) was observed in the sham-treated eyes. Consequently, the primary end point, defined as the difference in the change in BCVA from baseline to week 48 between the two treatment groups, was not met (P = 0.894). At week 96, 25 subjects (68%) had a clinically relevant recovery in BCVA from baseline in at least one eye, and 29 subjects (78%) had an improvement in vision in both eyes. A nonhuman primate study was conducted to investigate this bilateral improvement. Evidence of transfer of viral vector DNA from the injected eye to the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve of the contralateral noninjected eye supports a plausible mechanistic explanation for the unexpected bilateral improvement in visual function after unilateral injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK. .,Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica Neurologica, 40139 Bologna, Italy.,Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mark L Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90086, USA
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 80336 Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, 75019 Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Günther Rudolph
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica Neurologica, 40139 Bologna, Italy.,Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rustum Karanjia
- Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90086, USA.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - David J Calkins
- The Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France. .,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.,Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, 25-29 Rue Manin, 75019 Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Abstract
Mitochondria are organelles with vital functions in almost all eukaryotic cells. Often described as the cellular 'powerhouses' due to their essential role in aerobic oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria perform many other essential functions beyond energy production. As signaling organelles, mitochondria communicate with the nucleus and other organelles to help maintain cellular homeostasis, allow cellular adaptation to diverse stresses, and help steer cell fate decisions during development. Mitochondria have taken center stage in the research of normal and pathological processes, including normal tissue homeostasis and metabolism, neurodegeneration, immunity and infectious diseases. The central role that mitochondria assume within cells is evidenced by the broad impact of mitochondrial diseases, caused by defects in either mitochondrial or nuclear genes encoding for mitochondrial proteins, on different organ systems. In this Review, we will provide the reader with a foundation of the mitochondrial 'hardware', the mitochondrion itself, with its specific dynamics, quality control mechanisms and cross-organelle communication, including its roles as a driver of an innate immune response, all with a focus on development, disease and aging. We will further discuss how mitochondrial DNA is inherited, how its mutation affects cell and organismal fitness, and current therapeutic approaches for mitochondrial diseases in both model organisms and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies P. Rossmann
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 01238, USA
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sonia M. Dubois
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Suneet Agarwal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 01238, USA
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Gene Therapy for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Is Vision Truly RESCUED? Ophthalmology 2021; 128:661-662. [PMID: 33892900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Carelli V, Moster ML, Biousse V, Vignal-Clermont C, Sergott RC, Klopstock T, Sadun AA, Barboni P, DeBusk AA, Girmens JF, Rudolph G, Karanjia R, Taiel M, Blouin L, Smits G, Katz B, Sahel JA. Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Gene Therapy for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Treated within 6 Months of Disease Onset. Ophthalmology 2021; 128:649-660. [PMID: 33451738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of rAAV2/2-ND4 in subjects with visual loss from Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). DESIGN RESCUE is a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS Subjects with the m.11778G>A mitochondrial DNA mutation and vision loss ≤6 months from onset in 1 or both eyes were included. METHODS Each subject's right eye was randomly assigned (1:1) to treatment with rAAV2/2-ND4 (single injection of 9 × 1010 viral genomes in 90 μl) or to sham injection. The left eye received the treatment not allocated to the right eye. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point was the difference of the change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between rAAV2/2-ND4-treated and sham-treated eyes at week 48. Other outcome measures included contrast sensitivity, Humphrey visual field perimetry, retinal anatomic measures, and quality of life. Follow-up extended to week 96. RESULTS Efficacy analysis included 38 subjects. Mean age was 36.8 years, and 82% were male. Mean duration of vision loss at time of treatment was 3.6 months and 3.9 months in the rAAV2/2-ND4-treated eyes and sham-treated eyes, respectively. Mean baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA (standard deviation) was 1.31 (0.52) in rAAV2/2-ND4-treated eyes and 1.26 (0.62) in sham-treated eyes, with a range from -0.20 to 2.51. At week 48, the difference of the change in BCVA from baseline between rAAV2/2-ND4-treated and sham-treated eyes was -0.01 logMAR (P = 0.89); the primary end point of a -0.3 logMAR (15-letter) difference was not met. The mean BCVA for both groups deteriorated over the initial weeks, reaching the worst levels at week 24, followed by a plateau phase until week 48, and then an improvement of +10 and +9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters equivalent from the plateau level in the rAAV2/2-ND4-treated and sham-treated eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS At 96 weeks after unilateral injection of rAAV2/2-ND4, LHON subjects carrying the m.11778G>A mutation treated within 6 months after vision loss achieved comparable visual outcomes in the injected and uninjected eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy; Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mark L Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute/UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Piero Barboni
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Adam A DeBusk
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Günther Rudolph
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rustum Karanjia
- Doheny Eye Institute/UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa Eye, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
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A Typical Case Presentation with Spontaneous Visual Recovery in Patient Diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy due to Rare Point Mutation in MT-ND4 Gene ( m.11253T>C) and Literature Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57030202. [PMID: 33652663 PMCID: PMC7996816 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57030202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is one of the most common inherited mitochondrial optic neuropathies, caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Three most common mutations, namely m.11778G>A, m.14484T>G and m.3460G>A, account for the majority of LHON cases. These mutations lead to mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I damage. Typically, LHON presents at the 15–35 years of age with male predominance. LHON is associated with severe, subacute, painless bilateral vision loss and account for one of the most common causes of legal blindness in young individuals. Spontaneous visual acuity recovery is rare and has been reported in patients harbouring m.14484T>C mutation. Up to date LHON treatment is limited. Idebenone has been approved by European Medicines Agency (EMA) to treat LHON. However better understanding of disease mechanisms and ongoing treatment trials are promising and brings hope for patients. In this article we report on a patient diagnosed with LHON harbouring rare m.11253T>C mutation in MT-ND4 gene, who experienced spontaneous visual recovery. In addition, we summarise clinical presentation, diagnostic features, and treatment.
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Vignal-Clermont C, Girmens JF, Audo I, Said SM, Errera MH, Plaine L, O'Shaughnessy D, Taiel M, Sahel JA. Safety of Intravitreal Gene Therapy for Treatment of Subjects with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy due to Mutations in the Mitochondrial ND4 Gene: The REVEAL Study. BioDrugs 2021; 35:201-214. [PMID: 33566264 PMCID: PMC7952288 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-021-00468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease whose primary clinical manifestation is bilateral visual loss. Only a single therapy, idebenone, is approved in Europe for use in exceptional circumstances and no therapy is currently approved in the USA. LHON remains a disease with a high unmet medical need. Objective This is a report of an open-label, single-center, dose-escalation study that evaluated the safety and tolerability of lenadogene nolparvovec in 15 subjects with LHON for up to 5 years following a single intravitreal injection at four dose levels. Methods Subjects were enrolled sequentially in four cohorts followed by an additional cohort at the dose selected, and safety was assessed by an independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) prior to any dose escalation. Results Overall, the treatment was well tolerated during the 5-year follow-up. No serious adverse events were considered related to treatment, no unexpected adverse events occurred, and no grade 3 or 4 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were reported. Anterior chamber inflammation and vitritis were mostly managed with topical steroids, and ocular inflammation was considered to be dose limiting by the DSMB based on the benefits/risks for the subjects. Analysis of the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity in both treated and untreated eyes showed clinically relevant and durable improvements compared with baseline. Mean improvements of − 0.44 and − 0.49 LogMAR for treated and untreated eyes, respectively, were noted, with a mean (± standard deviation) final value of LogMAR + 1.96 ± 0.60 and + 1.65 ± 0.34, respectively, at 5 years post-treatment administration. For the six subjects treated with the optimal dose level (9 × 1010 viral genomes [vg]/eye), the mean visual acuity improvement from baseline reached − 0.68 LogMAR for treated eyes and − 0.64 LogMAR for untreated eyes, with a mean final value of LogMAR + 1.77 ± 0.52 and + 1.78 ± 0.34, respectively. While there was a meaningful improvement in visual acuity for REVEAL subjects, the final visual acuity was less favorable than that seen in the two subsequent pivotal phase III studies in which subjects were treated earlier during the course of their disease. Conclusion Lenadogene nolparvovec was well tolerated with a good safety profile during 5 years of follow-up and may offer meaningful lasting improvements in vision for this LHON population. Clinical Trial Number EUDRACT N° 2013-001405-90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Girmens
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Saddek Mohand Said
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Errera
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lise Plaine
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
| | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- CHNO des Quinze Vingts, Institut Hospitalo Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012, Paris, France.,Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, 25-29 Rue Manin, 75019, Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Carelli V, Biousse V, Moster ML, Vignal-Clermont C, Sergott RC, Klopstock T, Sadun AA, Girmens JF, La Morgia C, DeBusk AA, Jurkute N, Priglinger C, Karanjia R, Josse C, Salzmann J, Montestruc F, Roux M, Taiel M, Sahel JA. Intravitreal Gene Therapy vs. Natural History in Patients With Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Carrying the m.11778G>A ND4 Mutation: Systematic Review and Indirect Comparison. Front Neurol 2021; 12:662838. [PMID: 34108929 PMCID: PMC8181419 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.662838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This work aimed to compare the evolution of visual outcomes in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) patients treated with intravitreal gene therapy to the spontaneous evolution in prior natural history (NH) studies. Design: A combined analysis of two phase three randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled studies (REVERSE and RESCUE) and their joint long-term extension trial (CLIN06) evaluated the efficacy of rAAV2/2-ND4 vs. 11 pooled NH studies used as an external control. Subjects: The LHON subjects carried the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation and were aged ≥15 years at onset of vision loss. Methods: A total of 76 subjects received a single intravitreal rAAV2/2-ND4 injection in one eye and sham injection in the fellow eye within 1 year after vision loss in REVERSE and RESCUE. Both eyes were considered as treated due to the rAAV2/2-ND4 treatment efficacy observed in the contralateral eyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from REVERSE, RESCUE, and CLIN06 up to 4.3 years after vision loss was compared to the visual acuity of 208 NH subjects matched for age and ND4 genotype. The NH subjects were from a LHON registry (REALITY) and from 10 NH studies. A locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS), non-parametric, local regression model was used to modelize visual acuity curves over time, and linear mixed model was used for statistical inferences. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was evolution of visual acuity from 12 months after vision loss, when REVERSE and RESCUE patients had been treated with rAAV2/2-ND4. Results: The LOESS curves showed that the BCVA of the treated patients progressively improved from month 12 to 52 after vision loss. At month 48, there was a statistically and clinically relevant difference in visual acuity of -0.33 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) (16.5 ETDRS letters equivalent) in favor of treated eyes vs. NH eyes (p < 0.01). Most treated eyes (88.7%) were on-chart at month 48 as compared to 48.1% of the NH eyes (p < 0.01). The treatment effect at last observation remained statistically and clinically significant when adjusted for age and duration of follow-up (-0.32 LogMAR, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The m.11778G>A LHON patients treated with rAAV2/2-ND4 exhibited an improvement of visual acuity over more than 4 years after vision loss to a degree not demonstrated in NH studies. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02652767, NCT02652780, NCT03406104, and NCT03295071.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J. Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Nancy J. Newman
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valerio Carelli
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unitá Operativa Compless Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mark L. Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, A. de Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France
- Centre d'investigation Clinique, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Robert C. Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Alfredo A. Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jean-François Girmens
- Centre d'investigation Clinique, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unitá Operativa Compless Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Adam A. DeBusk
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Neringa Jurkute
- Moorfields Eye Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Priglinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rustum Karanjia
- Doheny Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa Eye, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Constant Josse
- eXYSTAT, Data Management and Statistic, Malakoff, France
| | | | | | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- A. de Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
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Nuzbrokh Y, Kassotis AS, Ragi SD, Jauregui R, Tsang SH. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events in Gene Therapy Trials for Inherited Retinal Diseases: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther 2020; 9:709-724. [PMID: 32740739 PMCID: PMC7708583 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-020-00287-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient safety is a primary priority in the conduction of retinal gene therapy trials. An understanding of risk factors and mitigation strategies for post-procedure complications is crucial for the optimization of gene therapy clinical trial protocols. In this review, we synthesize the literature on ocular delivery methods, vector platforms, and treatment-emergent adverse effects in recent gene therapy clinical trials for inherited retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Nuzbrokh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Alexis S Kassotis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara D Ragi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruben Jauregui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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39
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An overview of development in gene therapeutics in China. Gene Ther 2020; 27:338-348. [PMID: 32528163 PMCID: PMC7289074 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0163-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
After setbacks related to serious adverse events 20 years ago, gene therapy is now coming back to the central stage worldwide. In the past few years, gene therapy has shown astonishing efficacy against genetic diseases and cancers. In history, China carried out the world's second gene therapy clinical trial in 1991 for hemophilia B and approved the world's first gene therapy product-Gendicine-in 2003. In recent years, numerous efforts have been made on gene editing. Here, we reviewed the past of gene therapy in China and highlighted recent advances. We also discussed the regulations and future perspectives of gene therapy in China.
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