Recent studies have put a spotlight on new potential treatments for diabetic eye disease, a common and potentially serious complication of type 1 diabetes. Last month, Genentech Pharmaceuticals announced that its drug ranibizumab injection (Lucentis) had met its primary endpoint in one of two Phase 3 clinical trials, and effectively showed an improvement in vision in patients with diabetic macular edema. These data confirm a recent report by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network demonstrating that among study participants who received Lucentis therapy more developed improved vision and fewer lost vision. These recent developments represent potentially significant options to treat a disease that still has no commercially-available drugs on the market in the U.S. A significant number of individuals with type 1 diabetes may develop macular edema in their lifetime.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common complication that develops for people with diabetes. Diabetic macular edema (DME) occurs when the blood vessels damaged by diabetic retinopathy begin to leak fluid and cause swelling in the center of the retina, known as the macula. These changes are often gradual and may not even be noticed at first. If left untreated, these changes can lead to progressive vision loss and blindness. A related condition is diabetic retinopathy which in its most advanced stage – proliferative retinopathy – can result in blindness. Individuals with more severe stages of retinopathy are at greater risk of developing DME, which is the leading cause of blindness among working age Americans diagnosed with diabetes.
Because retinopathy is a progressive process, regular vision screening is important to maintaining good eye health. Currently, the only way to slow loss of vision is through carefully controlled A1Cs, blood pressure and blood lipids and in more severe cases, laser therapy.
While it may still be too early to speculate where the outcomes of these studies will lead, we are encouraged by these findings. Lucentis has already been approved in the United States to treat other eye diseases such as age related macular degeneration, and was recently approved in Europe for the treatment of DME. JDRF supports research to investigate other therapeutic approaches for diabetic retinopathy, some targeting delivery to the eye and others that may eventually be suitable for oral delivery. For a closer look on diabetic retinopathy and more research developments, check out this month’s issue of Countdown Online.