Dry macular degeneration involves a constellation of clinical features that can include drusen, pigment clumping and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dropout and geographic atrophy (GA). GA can begin as a thinning of the RPE with involvement of the underlying choriocapillaris and subsequently lead to an atrophic change in the macula. Inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of GA.

Sirolimus inhibits the production, signaling and activity of many inflammatory factors relevant to the development of GA.

The objective of a clinical trial now being underway at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center will investigate the safety and possible efficacy of serial sirolimus intravitreal injections to prevent vision loss in patients with GA.

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