Evaluating a Novel Mechanism and Target for Wet AMD

This study proposes that the severe form of wet AMD is caused by inflammatory cells called macrophages and have identified a novel molecular target that controls the activity of these inflammatory cells. The purpose of this project is to better understand this molecular target and determine whether medicines that block this target could be effective novel treatments for patients with wet AMD.

Wet (or neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which develops when an abnormal blood vessel grows under the retina, is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. While there are approved treatments—shots of medicines into the eye to stabilize the abnormal blood vessel—at least 40% of patients have more severe disease that remains active and causes worsening vision in spite of treatment. We propose that the severe form of wet AMD is caused by inflammatory cells called macrophages and have identified a potential novel molecular target that controls the activity of these inflammatory cells. The purpose of this project is to better understand this molecular target and determine whether medicines that block this target could be effective novel treatments for patients with wet AMD.