Some scientific news published in the Newsletter of Retina International
might be of interest for all RP patients.



Researchers have for many years, been investigating the beneficial effect of
growth factors on the progression of retinal conditions. One of the greatest
stumbling blocks has been the problem of delivering these factors to the
retina. The blood retinal barrier protects the eye allowing only the
required nutrients through to the eye. Eye drops are a very in-effective way
of getting past this barrier and this led researchers to devise a more
efficient drug delivery system. The Encapsulated Cell, a miniature polymer
device that is implanted into the eye, would appear to be the answer to this
problem.

Successful results of a Phase I study of the Encapsulated Cell Technology
trial have just been released. In this study 10 patients in America with
late stage RP had the device implanted and only removed after six months.
The device is hung by a little hook inside the eye out of the path of vision
and constantly releases CNTF which is produced by special cells inside the
device. Although the study was only meant to test for the safety of the
device, most patients actually had a small improvement in vision as well.
This study represents the first use of ECT in human eyes and as the devices
were safe and well-tolerated, we are sure that stage ll and lll trials will
follow shortly. The final results of these studies will help understand the
role that CNTF and other growth factors will play in treating patients with
retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal degenerative conditions.





Markus Georg

Pro Retina Deutschland e.V

Vorstand

Am Reuterberg 26

35745 Herborn

Tel.: 02772 / 570 576

Email: <mailto:vorstand@...>
vorstand@...

www.pro-retina.org





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