New treatment option for wet AMD

Dr James Whiteford Queen Mary, University of London - £148,991

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to rapid sight loss. We currently have treatments, which work well for most people. However, for some people the current treatments available don’t work. This project looks at a different way to treat wet AMD, which could help them.

What is the problem?

Treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs is current practice for people with wet AMD. However, they don’t work well for everyone. So more treatment options need to be available.

What are they doing?

Previous research by the team, led by Dr James Whiteford, identified new proteins that can stop blood vessel growth in the macula. They have worked out which part of the protein causes this, and are testing it as a new treatment.

How can this help?

There are people with wet AMD who cannot have, or do not respond to anti-VEGF treatments. For these people there are fewer options for treatment and these may be less effective or have more side-effects. It is therefore vital we have other options that mean everyone can receive the same level of treatment. This early stage project tests the safety of the drug and may lead the way for this treatment being tested in clinical trials.