Certain genes could increase risk for AMD progression

The finding was revealed by Dr Carel Hoyng, a Full Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center’s ophthalmology department during the recent Angiogenesis, Exudation and Degeneration 2017 meeting in Miami, Florida.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: We want to develop drugs, and our future studies should be very concentrated on the transition from intermediate into late AMD and to find biomarkers, -WHO:Dr Carel Hoyng, Full Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Department}}“We want to develop drugs, and our future studies should be very concentrated on the transition from intermediate into late AMD and to find biomarkers,” Hoyng said, as he pointed out that the risks involved age, genes and phenotype characteristics.Hoyng’s assessment was based on statistics from the European Genetic Database (EUGENDA), which showed patients with the CFH Y402H genetic variants – as well as those with certain phenotype characteristics like hyperreflective foci, central drusen location and drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment – had greater risks of late-stage AMD progression.However, data in the study did not show a relationship between progression to late-stage AMD and the ARMS2 gene.Hoyng, who specialises in the genetics of retinal disorders, said that of the 254 patients diagnosed with early or intermediate AMD in the EUGENDA data, 54 progressed to late stage AMD after five years – a progression rate of more than 20%.The study, Hoyng added, will be able to provide useful information for scientists to observe or discuss means to look for better therapy and treatment solutions for controlling AMD.