Open Access<p>Voretigene Neparvovec in Retinal Diseases: A Review of the Current Clinical Evidence</p>
Author(s) -
Jie Gao,
Rehan M. Hussain,
Christina Y. Weng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1177-5483
pISSN - 1177-5467
DOI - 10.2147/opth.s231804
Subject(s) - rpe65 , medicine , cis trans isomerases , retinitis pigmentosa , visual phototransduction , retinal , ophthalmology , genetic enhancement , electroretinography , retina , clinical endpoint , clinical trial , neuroscience , bioinformatics , retinal pigment epithelium , pathology , gene , genetics , biology , peptidylprolyl isomerase , isomerase
Subretinal gene therapy trials began with the discovery of RPE65 variants and their association with Leber congenital amaurosis. The RPE65 protein is critical for the normal functioning of the visual phototransduction cascade. RPE65 gene knockout animal models were developed and showed similar diseased phenotypes to their human counterparts. Proof of concept studies were carried out in these animal models using subretinal RPE65 gene replacement therapy, resulting in improvements in various visual function markers including electroretinograms, pupillary light responses, and object avoidance behaviors. Positive results in animal models led to Phase 1 human studies using adeno-associated viral vectors. Results in these initial human studies also showed positive impact on visual function and acceptable safety. A landmark Phase 3 study was then conducted by Spark Therapeutics using a dose of 1.5 x10 11 vector genomes after dose-escalation studies confirmed its efficacy and safety. Multi-luminance mobility testing was used to measure the primary efficacy endpoint due to its excellent reliability in detecting the progression of inherited retinal diseases. After the study met its primary endpoint, the Food and Drug Administration approved voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna ® ) for use in RPE65 -associated inherited retinal diseases.