HIV Drugs May Provide New Treatment For Dry AMD (Macular Degeneration)

LEICESTER, U.K. - Dec. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have been used for decades to treat infection with retroviruses, such as HIV, by blocking a key enzyme which they need to make more copies of themselves.

However, recent animal studies have shown that in addition to their primary enzyme-blocking function, the drugs also block an immune pathway which kills retinal cells in dry AMD.

Using mouse models of AMD, a team at the University of Kentucky, led by Dr Jayakrishna Ambati, Professor and vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, found that existing NRTIs blocked key proteins. This stopped the degeneration of  the retinal pigment epithelium, a key feature of dry AMD.

Benjamin Fowler, lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in the Ambati lab, said: “Through decades of clinical experience, we know that some of the drugs we tested are incredibly safe. Since these NRTIs are already FDA-approved, they could be rapidly and inexpensively translated into therapies for a variety of untreatable or poorly treatable conditions.”

As the drugs are already approved and available, and relatively cheap, the researchers say they could be ‘readily repurposed.’ The researchers are reported to be planning future trials.

Professor Ambati added: "We are excited at the prospect of testing whether NRTIs could be effective in halting the progression of AMD in patients."

The paper is published in Science and this article is reprinted from Optometry Today.

Visual Answers Optometrists Loughborough provide early detection and monitoring of dry and wet AMD with the use of Zeiss OCT laser scanning technology. Call our Barrow on 01509 414151 for more information or to book an appointment. www.VisualAnswers.co.uk