AMD reversed by infecting eye with common cold-like virus

A team from John Hopkins University led by Professor Peter Campochiaro has discovered they can alter a common cold-like virus to carry a repair gene into the eyes of people with AMD and reverse the progression of the disease. A preliminary clinical trial found that in some cases a single ocular injection of the specially engineered virus is enough to induce a marked improvent.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: In some cases a single ocular injection of the specially engineered virus is enough to induce a marked improvent -WHO:Professor Peter Campochiaro, Director, Retinal Cell and Molecular Laboratory}}“This preliminary study is a small but promising step towards a new approach that will not only reduce doctor visits and the anxiety and discomfort associated with repeated injections in the eye, but may improve long-term outcomes,” Campochiaro said.The virus works by targeting overactive VEGF proteins within the eyes of people with wet AMD. After penetrating retinal cells, it then deposits the repair gene, which prompts cells to begin producing therapeutic proteins called sFLT01.These proteins then bind thselves to VEGF proteins and prevent th from stimulating leakage and the growth of abnormal blood vessels.“Prolonged suppression of VEGF is needed to preserve vision, and that is difficult to achieve with repeated injections because life often gets in the way,” Campochiaro added.“The goal is for the retinal cells infected by the virus to produce enough sFLT01 to permanently stop the progression of AMD.”