Inherited retinal degenerative diseases were previously considered untreatable and incurable. There were early improvements in vision observed in the trials, but a key question about the long-term efficacy of gene therapy for curing the retinal degeneration in LCA has remained unanswered.
Now, new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds that gene therapy for LCA shows enduring improvement in vision but also advancing degeneration of affected retinal cells, both in LCA patients and animal models of the same condition.
LCA disease from RPE65 mutations has two-components: a biochemical blockade leading to impaired vision, and a progressive loss of the light-sensing photoreceptor cells throughout life of the affected patient.
Study authors said that until now gene therapy has been optimistically assumed, but not proven, to solve both disease components at the same time.
Study authors said that until now gene therapy has been optimistically assumed, but not proven, to solve both disease components at the same time.
“We all hoped that the gene injections cured both components – re-establishing the cycle of vision and also preventing further loss of cells to the second disease component” said lead author Professor Cideciyan.
Scientists say the observations may help advance the current treatment by making it better
and longer lasting.