New treatment for diabetic eye disease using RXR therapy
Official title: RXR-based therapy for diabetic retinopathy
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11293985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy that delivers special molecules directly to the eye to help reduce inflammation and improve eye health, which could lead to better vision for people with diabetes.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $500,473 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EY035539-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetic retinopathy who are experiencing vision problems related to their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic retinopathy or those with other unrelated eye conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel therapy for diabetic retinopathy (DR) that focuses on delivering specific molecules called RXR agonists directly to the retina. By using a targeted approach, the study aims to reduce retinal inflammation and improve lipid metabolism without affecting blood sugar levels. The therapy involves the use of microparticles that release these RXR agonists over time, potentially providing a long-term solution for managing DR. Patients may benefit from improved vision and reduced progression of eye disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment that significantly slows or reverses the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using RXR agonists is promising, it is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in the context of diabetic retinopathy.
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.