Tissue plasminogen activator for improving eye fluid drainage in glaucoma
Official title: Tissue plasminogen activator for the treatment of glaucoma
Funded at VA New York Harbor Hlthcare/sys/brooklyn · NIH-11329435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused look at using tPA to help drain fluid from the eye and lower pressure in open-angle glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA New York Harbor Hlthcare/sys/brooklyn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004255-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with open-angle glaucoma or those at high risk due to elevated eye pressure, under regular ophthalmologic care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with glaucoma variants not responsive to therapies aimed at drainage facility or with contraindications to intravitreal or ocular interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores whether the protein tPA can safely help the eye’s drainage system work better and reduce eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma. Researchers will study how tPA and a variant called EI-tPA affect the outflow tissues and long-term safety in relevant models, aiming to translate findings toward safer treatments for people with glaucoma. The work builds on prior observations that tPA levels relate to outflow problems and that supplementing tPA can improve drainage and pressure in animal models. By understanding the molecular pathways involved, the study hopes to identify a new therapeutic approach that targets the eye’s drainage tissues directly. The ultimate goal is to offer a long-term, effective option that preserves vision for patients affected by glaucoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment that enhances fluid drainage from the eye and lowers risk of vision loss in open-angle glaucoma.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in animal models suggest that tPA can improve outflow and lower eye pressure, supporting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
VA New York Harbor Hlthcare/sys/brooklyn
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danias, John — VA New York Harbor Hlthcare/sys/brooklyn
- Study coordinator: Danias, John
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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.