Study of Subretinal Implantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells in Advanced Dry AMD

General Information

Summary The Phase I/IIa clinical trial is designed to assess the feasibility of delivery and safety of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells on a parylene membrane (CPCB-RPE1) in patients with advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration. Primary Objective: To test the safety and tolerability of CPCB-RPE1 during and after subretinal implantation in patients with geographic atrophy with evidence of involvement of the central fovea. Secondary Objective: To assess visual acuity, visual field, and retinal function after CPCB-RPE1 implantation. Implanted and fellow eyes will be compared post-implantation to assess the ability of the implant to prevent disease progression. Exploratory Objectives: To assess the feasibility of measuring the change in area of geographic atrophy over time using spectral domain optical coherence tomography or fundus autofluorescence.
Description The study will include two cohorts, each of 10 patients. For the first cohort, the study population will be patients with advanced, dry AMD with evidence of significant geographic atrophy involving the fovea. These patients will have significant central vision loss with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the eye to be implanted of BCVA of 20/200 or worse. Each of these patients will have substantial RPE and photoreceptor loss. Patients will be screened for overall health status to minimize risks associated with retinal surgery and any subsequent immunosuppression. As the safety and tolerability of CPCB-RPE1 is demonstrated in the first cohort, patients with less advanced disease will be recruited into a second cohort in this Phase I/IIa clinical trial. In this second cohort patients will have significant central vision loss with BCVA of the eye to be implanted of 20/80 or worse, but better than or equal to 20/400 with comparably less damage to the RPE/photoreceptor complex than Cohort 1. These patients will be screened in the same manner for overall health status to minimize risks associated with retinal surgery and any subsequent immunosuppression. Assessments of visual function will be the same as in Cohort 1.
Clinical trials phase Phases 1/2
Start date (estimated) 2016-02-16
End date (estimated) 2023-06-30
Clinical feature
Label age related macular degeneration
Link http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/DOID_10871
Description A degeneration of macula and posterior pole that is characterized by a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) resulting from damage to the retina and resulting in blurring of the sharp central vision.; OMIM mapping confirmed by DO. [SN].
Publications

Administrative Information

NCT number NCT02590692
ICTRP weblink https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NCT02590692
Other study identifiers
Name RPT-14-01
Source weblink https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02590692
Regulatory body approval
Name Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Country
United States
Public contact
Email inquiries@regenerativepatch.com
Public email inquiries@regenerativepatch.com
First name Jane
Last name Lebkowski
Country
United States
Sponsors Regenerative Patch Technologies, LLC

Cells

Source pluripotent stem cell lines
Which differentiated cell type is used
Label retinal pigment epithelial cell
Link http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/CL_0002586
Description An epithelial cell of the retinal pigmented epithelium.; This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies to only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells form a single layer of cells at the back of the eye sandwiched between the neurosensory retina and the choroid, playing a significant role in maintaining vision health. These pigment-laden cells are highly specialized and perform an array of metabolic and transport functions essential for the maintenance of the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina. The pigmentation of RPE cells actively aids in the absorption of excess light and the prevention of light scattering, thus enhancing the eye's optical properties. The retinal pigment epithelium forms a key part of the blood/retina barrier. The cells have long sheet-like microvilli on their apical membrane that project into the light-sensitive outer segments of the photoreceptors, forming a close structural interaction. The basolateral membrane of the RPE interacts with the underlying Bruch’s membrane, which separates the RPE cells from fenestrated endothelium of the choriocapillaris. RPE cells support the photoreceptor by providing them with oxygen and nutrients (such as glucose, retinol and fatty acids) and removing waste products. They also recycle the visual pigment, in a process called the "visual cycle", where the RPE cells play a vital role in the regeneration of visual pigment (11-cis retinol) following the absorption of light. This is essential for the maintenance of photoreceptor excitability. Beyond this, RPE cells take part in the phagocytosis process, where they digest the shed ends of photoreceptor outer segments, thus, preventing the build-up of waste residue that could otherwise harm retinal health. They also secrete various factors, including growth factors required to maintain the structural integrity of choriocapillaris endothelium and photoreceptors, as well as immunosuppressive factors that play an important role in establishing the immune privilege of the eye.

Recruitment

Recruitment Status Unknown Status
Estimated number of participants 16