Emerging Treatment Options for Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Hannah Khan, Aamir Aziz, Humza Sulahria, Huma Khan, Abrahim Ahmed, Netan Choudhry, Raja Narayanan, Carl J. Danzig, Arshad M. Khanani
Abstract
Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized as a chronic, multifactorial disease and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Advanced AMD is classified as neovascular (wet) AMD and non-neovascular (dry) AMD. Dry AMD can progress to a more advanced form that manifests as geographic atrophy (GA), which significantly threatens vision, leading to progressive and irreversible loss of visual function. There are currently no approved therapeutics commercially available for GA patients. However, data from various clinical trials have demonstrated favorable results with significant reduction in GA lesion growth. Approaches to GA treatment vary from complement inhibitors to ocular gene therapy, some of which may delay disease progression, while others may reverse the disease. This review furthers the understanding of the pathophysiology of GA, as well as current clinical trial data on investigational therapeutics. Keywords: complement system, gene therapy, neuroprotective agents, personalized treatment, anti-inflammatory agents, intravitreal injection