David Eichenbaum, MD

Experts conclude this series highlighting what is on the horizon of retinal disease care. 

Perspectives on the Future of Retinal Disease Management

In this final segment, the participants share their excitement for the future of retina care this year and beyond. Across the panel, experts express enthusiasm for the constant evolution of therapies, techniques, and technologies in the field of retina. They touch on the ongoing trials and current research, acknowledging the challenges and complexities of developing new drugs but remains optimistic about potential breakthroughs. Experts circle back to gene therapy, emphasizing the potential for game-changing developments once challenges like inflammation are addressed. The physicians across the panel are excited at the prospect of higher durability agents to continue improving patient quality of life.

This summary was AI-generated and edited for clarity.

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Experts discuss challenges in integrating gene therapy and port delivery systems treating common retinal diseases.

Role Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Gene Therapy in Retinal Diseases

Experts discuss the challenges and considerations associated with incorporating novel therapies like gene therapy or port delivery systems into the early treatment regimens for common retinal diseases. Seenu Hariprasad acknowledges the high bar set for future therapies due to the safety and effectiveness of currently available treatments like aflibercept 8 mg and faricimab. He suggests that a combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and gene therapy could be a powerful approach, providing a baseline therapy that can be titrated with anti-VEGF agents. David Brown, MD emphasizes the historical challenges faced with TKIs, particularly issues related to pharmacology. He raises concerns about the potential for gene therapy to cause inflammation and highlights the safety of current treatments. Diana Do, MD expresses the challenge of incorporating gene therapy or other novel therapies early when effective and safe clinic-based options are available. She suggests that these novel therapies may be more suitable for patients with high-frequency treatment needs and without additional risk factors.

Experts discuss challenges in integrating gene therapy and port delivery systems early in treating common retinal diseases while emphasizing historical challenges and safety considerations.

Role of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Gene Therapy in Retinal Diseases

Experts continue their discussion of gene therapy, highlighting safety concerns and the need for more trials and data. 

Considering Safety of Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases

Experts continue their discussion on the potential of gene therapy; in particular, they explore the exciting prospect of developing an ocular biofactory within a patient's eye to produce a VEGF inhibitor. Diana Do, MD expresses enthusiasm for gene therapy but raises a critical point about the long-term safety concerns of these specialized delivery systems. She emphasizes the inability to “turn off” gene therapy and highlights the need to understand the implications of chronic VEGF suppression within the eye over an extended period. David Eichenbaum, MD acknowledges the importance of addressing safety concerns associated with gene therapy, including inflammation and adverse events.

11.	Experts shift to the prospect of gene therapy in treating retinal diseases. 

The Status of Gene Therapy Development for Retinal Diseases

This segment shifts towards the future of retinal therapies, focusing on gene therapy. David Eichenbaum, MD asks Kenny Fan, MD, MBA about his perspective on gene therapy and the status of ongoing trials. Fan expresses optimism and mentions his enthusiasm for gene therapy, particularly due to the promising clinical and preclinical data. He acknowledges that gene therapy has significant potential, not only for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetes but also for other hereditary retinal diseases. Fan touches on intravitreal gene therapy and subretinal gene therapy, highlighting their potential benefits. He mentions that the initial results from certain gene therapy trials have been optimistic, and he looks forward to more phase 3 data to further assess the impact of gene therapy on retinal diseases. David Eichenbaum, MD adds to the discussion by distinguishing between gene augmentation for common retinal diseases and gene replacement for inherited retinal diseases. The conversation reflects a sense of optimism and hope for the transformative potential of gene therapy in the treatment of retinal diseases.

Experts shift to the prospect of gene therapy in treating retinal diseases. 

David Eichenbaum, MD

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