Protein blocking offers new treatment possibilities for AMD

Monday, May 4 2015 | 00 h 00 min | Vision Science

In an article published in the April issue of Nature Medicine, a team of French researchers report that inactivating or blocking the receptors of the protein Slit2 in mice inhibited the growth of faulty retinal blood vessels caused by vasoproliferative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Slit2 is known for its role in the development of nerve connections and is a culprit in the development of certain cancers.

Wet AMD is typically managed with regular injections of antiangiogenic drugs to inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels within the retina. These drugs target a specific factor called the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

New therapies targeting the Slit2 protein will offer benefits for patients suffering from AMD, especially for those who do not respond to the current treatments targeting VEGF.

Further information: http://presse-inserm.fr/en/caring-for-blindness-a-new-protein-in-sight/18933/