PDE6A Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa (Pigment)

PDE6A Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa (Pigment)

Brief Summary:
The PDE6A gene encodes a subunit of the rod phosphodiesterase. The loss of this enzyme function leads to a chronically elevated cGMP level which causes an increased calcium inflow into the cell and thereby the hyperactivation of cell death pathways. The goal of the PIGMENT study is to develop, produce and investigate a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene transfer vector for the curative therapy of PDE6A-linked retinitis pigmentosa in patients, in order to counteract their disease progression and to stop further impairment of visual function. The vector is given with a single subretinal injection.

Detailed Description:
"PIGMENT - Subretinal PDE6A gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa" is an open mono-center, phase I/IIa trial with fellow-eye comparison.

The study begins with a detailed preliminary examination (Screening), comprises a total of 13 visits and ends after one year. In between, after the gene therapy injection (injection of the vector under the retina with one of four doses), regular controls are carried out at the Center for Ophthalmology Tübingen. Monitoring will be contimued after the first year, once a year two, three, four and five years after the injection. The study will take place exclusively at the Center for Ophthalmology in Tübingen and involves nine patients.

All patients participating in this study receive treatment, i.e. there is no placebo or sham treatment group. A 30-day safety distance is maintained between each patient and each group. An independent committee will decide, after each injection of three patients, which dose the following three patients will receive.

Patients can benefit from the treatment by slowing or stopping the loss of the rods and allowing them to function to a certain extent. Therefore, a possible benefit for patients may be that the vision problems will be improved by gene therapy. Such improvements could improve the overall quality of life and well-being. However, as no experience with gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa in humans has yet been gained, we cannot promise any improvement. Within the scope of this study, patients will be given particularly intensive care and psychological support will also be offered in order to do everything for the patient's well-being and health during the study.

Time Schedule: Start of trial Q3/2019 (FPFV), end of recruitment Q3/2020, end of trial Q4/2025 (LPLV), duration of trial per patient: one year with four years of follow-up. The final study report will be prepared after completion of the four year follow-up period (5 years after treatment).


Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
Estimated Enrollment: 9 participants
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: PIGMENT - PDE6A Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Actual Study Start Date: September 24, 2019
Estimated Primary Completion Date: September 2021
Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2025

Arm:
- Experimental: Subretinal injection of rAAV.hPDE6A

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