New Pill Has the Potential to Halt the Advance of AMD

Researchers have recently found that the drug fenretinide halts the advance of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye condition for which there is no cure.

AMD comes in ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ forms, the former being less common but treatable. Researchers targeted the more prevalent dry AMD, which is caused by the deterioration and death of cells in the macula. By destroying the part of the retina used to see straight ahead, the disease creates a black spot in the centre of the patient’s vision, effectively blinding them.

Researchers found that one pill of fenretinide per day halted visual deterioration after a year. The drug, which is derived from vitamin A, protects healthy cells, but does not stop the destruction of cells that are already damaged.

An estimated 300,000 people suffer from the disease in Great Britain alone. Although the drug is still in its preliminary stages of research, it gives hope to millions of people at risk of going blind as they get older.

Dr. Jason Slakter at New York University’s School of Medicine says that the drug was not intended to give a final answer. “It was designed to see if there was a biological effect and if the drug was working in the way we’d expect and to find out if it was well tolerated by patients.”

If subsequent trials are successful, fenretinide could become available within 5 years.

Via : topnews