A study at the Center for Genome Engineering, within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in South Korea, has reportedly shows that the genome editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 can be delivered directly into the eye of living animals to efficiently and safely treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
During the study, researchers reportedly successfully injected CRISPR-Cas9 into the eyes of a mice model with wet AMD and locally modified the VEGF gene. Afterwards, scientists reportedly assessed the entire genome of the animals and found the CRISPR-Cas9 complex only modified the VEGF gene and did not have an impact on other genes.
Following injection, researchers reportedly monitored progression of the eye disease through choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and found the CNV area reduced by 58 percent.
Researchers reportedly believe the use of CRISPR-Cas9 can provide a less invasive therapy to anti-VEGF drug injections, as well as a longer-term cure through the editing of the VEGF gene.
The study was recently published in the journal Genome Research.
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Source: Institute for Basic Science