Does Complement Inhibitor Inhibit Both Forms of Macular Degeneration?
September 7, 2009
“POT-4” (Potentia Pharmaceuticals) a C3 complement inhibitor may be effective against both forms of macular degeneration. The announcement was made at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and American Academy of Ophthalmology in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Results of the phase I trials were positive.
While complement activation has been implicated with chronic inflammatory conditions, tissue damage, glaucoma, uveitis, spinal cord injury, trauma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and pulmonary disease, it may also play a vital role in the pathogenesis of exudative AMD, and perhaps, non-exudative AMD.
The results of the phase I trials showed a favorable safety profile. Although phase I trials are designed for safety, not efficacy, initial results did show some clinical efficacy in that some patients did improve clinically and the vision stablized.
If successful, POT-4 would be delivered locally as an intravitreal injection.
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com
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2 Responses to “Does Complement Inhibitor Inhibit Both Forms of Macular Degeneration?”
why cant you take an mri?
what cant you get a spinal tap?
it sounds like you indeed have ms, and you dont need any special test to diagnose it- your symptoms make the diagnosis, not the laboratory. its a clinical diagnosis.
the spinal tap looks for monoclonal banding- the complement inhibitor discussed here does not make the diagnosis of ms, as its non-specific.
why dont you get a second opinion, or at least an explanation of why you cannot get these tests?
My ms symptoms began several years ago, with weakness, and dizziness . Because I cannot take an MRI, several Doctors just said “well, that’s the only way we can diagnose it” . I am now about to have an eye exam because about 1/3rd of the vision in my rt. eye is suddenly gone- from nose to center of eye, nearly. I’ve had blurred vision , sometimes double vision and other symptoms. Noone will even consider giving me a spinal tap to check for that specific protien. What do I have to do to get someone to just either rule it out or give me a diagnosis? It is very frustrating!!!
