Long-lasting on-demand treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration
Sustained Treatment of wet AMD
This project tests whether long-lasting nanocapsules that release an anti-blood-vessel drug and an anti-scarring drug on demand with ultrasound can help people with wet age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11099810 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have wet age-related macular degeneration, this project is developing tiny polyurethane capsules that sit in the eye and slowly release two medicines—acriflavine to block formation of leaky new blood vessels and pirfenidone to reduce scarring. The capsules are designed to provide long-term drug delivery and to release extra drug when triggered noninvasively by ultrasound so treatment can be adjusted as needed. Researchers will test the system in laboratory and animal models to study how the drugs distribute in the eye, whether the approach is safe, and if it better preserves retinal tissue and vision. Successful preclinical results would support moving toward clinical testing in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, especially those with persistent fluid, hemorrhage, or fibrosis despite anti-VEGF injections, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with dry (non-neovascular) AMD or those with advanced, irreversible vision loss are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce both leaking vessels and scarring to better preserve retinal tissue and vision compared with anti-VEGF alone.
How similar studies have performed: Anti-VEGF drugs are well established for wet AMD, but combining antifibrotic therapy with long-term, ultrasound-triggered delivery is largely novel and has mainly preclinical support so far.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tucker, Budd a — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Tucker, Budd a
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 below.