A recent study in mice suggests a promising potential treatment for the “wet” type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Researchers discovered that an enzyme called telomerase, which is involved in cell growth and division, plays a role in the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye that leads to vision problems in wet AMD. By targeting telomerase with an experimental drug, they were able to suppress this abnormal vascular growth in the retina of mice.
Currently, the main treatment for wet AMD involves injecting a drug into the eye that blocks a growth factor protein called VEGF, which is known to stimulate the growth of abnormal blood vessels in this condition.
However, this treatment has its limitations. After two years, around half of the patients stop responding to the treatment, and there is a risk of scarring under the retina. Researchers believe that exploring new targets, such as telomerase, could lead to more effective therapies for wet AMD.
The study, published in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Molecular Basis of Disease, focused on wet AMD, which accounts for about 20% of all AMD cases. In this type, abnormal blood vessels invade the retina, causing vision problems.
High levels of telomerase activity have been linked to rapid cell growth in cancer research. Similarly, in this study, researchers found that telomerase plays a critical role in the development of abnormal blood vessels in the eye.
An experimental drug that inhibits telomerase activity was found to be effective in reducing abnormal blood vessel growth in mice with symptoms similar to wet AMD. When used in combination with the current anti-VEGF treatment, the experimental drug showed even better results at lower doses.
While the study focused on the eye, researchers noted that blocking telomerase did not affect its normal function of rebuilding telomeres, which protect the ends of chromosomes.
Further research and clinical trials are needed to explore the potential of telomerase inhibition as a treatment for wet AMD. This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation, and Research to Prevent Blindness.
The team of researchers involved in the study included experts from institutions such as The Ohio State University and the University of Virginia.
