Eye injection that targets RXR to treat diabetic retinopathy
Official title: RXR-based therapy for diabetic retinopathy
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11330622 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to use a long‑lasting eye injection that activates RXR to reduce harmful fat buildup and inflammation in adults with diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $559,365 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035539-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330622 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetic retinopathy, especially those with early to moderate disease who might benefit from a local retinal therapy, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetic retinopathy, those with other eye diseases unrelated to diabetic retinal lipid injury, or patients with very advanced disease unlikely to recover retinal function may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing tiny particles that slowly release RXR-activating drugs (rexinoids) directly into the eye to avoid changing blood sugar levels. They will test whether these intravitreal microparticles improve retinal lipid handling, lower inflammation, and protect retinal cells in lab and animal models as a step toward human use. The work builds on earlier findings that similar drugs helped diabetic retinas when given systemically but also lowered blood glucose, which could have caused the benefit. The goal is to create a local, long-term treatment for diabetic retinopathy that acts in the eye rather than throughout the body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could slow or reverse retinal damage and vision loss from diabetic retinopathy while avoiding systemic side effects on blood sugar.
How similar studies have gone: Related rexinoid drugs showed benefit in animal models when given systemically but affected blood sugar, and delivering them directly into the eye is a newer approach that has not yet been proven in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorbatyuk, Marina — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gorbatyuk, Marina
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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.