What is Luminate?
An “integrin peptide therapy” that treats vitreoretinal diseases by targeting integrin receptors.
Let’s break that down.
Let’s break that down.
What are integrins?
Broadly speaking, they are cell adhesion and cell signaling receptors so they control how cells talk to one another. They are important in the eye because they are also involved in the construction of new and aberrant blood vessels.
But we have anti-VEGF options, so why is this better?
Anti-VEGF has one mechanism of action, to slow the growth of new blood vessels.
Luminate has a two different mechanisms of action in which it both regresses and inhibits vascularization. The drug interferes with the construction of new blood vessels, as well as the vitreoretinal interface. The authors state, “this could be particularly useful for half of the current patient population that doesn’t respond adequately to repeated anti-VEGF treatments alone”.
How is it administered?
Intravitreal injection.
How long does it last?
So far, studies have shown 3 to 4 months.
It’s in Phase 2 clinical trials for several indications, including wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and vitreomacular traction.
Stay tuned. (via)
Stay tuned. (via)
