Methods for Using Interferon Gamma to Absorb Fluid From the Subretinal Space
Description of Invention:
The accumulation of subretinal fluid is associated with certain adverse ocular conditions (including chronic macular edema, age related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy), or retinal injury, or post-surgical complications. Often aberrant proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is also associated with these ocular conditions. The RPE is a highly specialized derivative of the neuroectoderm with multiple roles in the maintenance of normal ocular function. Dysfunction of RPE cells has been implicated in inflammatory, degenerative, and dystrophic diseases of the retina and choroid. Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of intraocular inflammatory diseases of infectious or presumed autoimmune origin. IFN gamma has been detected in vitreous aspirates of patients with uveitis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and idiopathic inflammatory eye diseases.
The technology provides for methods by which interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) can be used to remove subretinal fluid. The application of INF-gamma may be by external application (e.g. eye drops or ointments) or by subretinal injection. The claims in the pending patent application are directed to methods for treating decreases in visual acuity that are associated with diseases that cause the accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space. Additional claims are directed at methods for treating age-related macular degeneration, chronic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, or glaucoma that comprise decreasing the amount of fluid present in the subretinal space of patients suffering from such disorders by administering an amount of interferon gamma to the eyes of the patients effective to decrease the amount of fluid present in the subretinal space of the patients.
Applications:
Treatment and prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, or glaucoma.
Treatment of decreases in visual acuity that are associated with diseases that cause the accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space.
Market:
Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are the leading causes of blindness for those above age 45 and 60, respectively. These two diseases account for approximately 6-7 million cases of blindness each year in the US.
Development Status:
Preclinical and animal model studies are in progress.
Inventors:
Rong Li (NEI) Sheldon S. Miller (NEI) Arvydas Maminishkis (NEI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-169-2008/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/089,157 filed 15 Aug 2008
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Eye Institute, Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize methods that activate immune system mediated fluid removal from the distal retina. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
