Epac1 as a new target to stop diabetic eye disease
Official title: Epac1 as a novel therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11365063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with diabetes aims to understand how Epac1 contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina and test whether targeting Epac1 could lead to better eye treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $506,223 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033319-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who are at risk of or have diabetic retinopathy may be eligible for related future studies or trials stemming from this project.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetic retinopathy or without diabetes are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Epac1 affects dangerous retinal blood vessel growth in diabetic retinopathy and tests potential ways to modulate Epac1 to protect vision. Researchers will use genetic and drug-based approaches to uncover how Epac1 drives vascular problems in the eye and to identify possible new therapies. The work combines laboratory experiments with models that mimic human disease to generate actionable insights that could guide future treatments. If successful, the findings could lead to therapies that reduce the need for frequent anti-VEGF injections and improve outcomes for patients with diabetic eye disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that more effectively prevent or reverse retinal damage in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous anti-VEGF therapies help some patients, but many need additional options, making this approach promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Xiaodong — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Xiaodong
Related research
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Ultrafast eye imaging to detect and track diabetic retinopathy
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.