An Oxidized Ketocholesterol and Wet AMD

Article: Research Points to New Hope for Treatment-Resistant AMD
Source: University of Utah Health, via NEI
Published: February 26, 2021

Researchers at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah Health are using a mouse model to investigate how an oxidized form of cholesterol, called oxysterol 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), contributes to the fibrosis of choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) that eventually lead to a neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) that is poorly responsive to anti-VEGF therapy. The ketocholesterol accumulates in Bruch's membrane, cause changes in the CECs, which then invade the neural retina and lead to enlarged lesions and fibrosis. These lesions and fibrosis account for 40% of poor vision in neovascular AMD. What is particularly interesting about this study is that it suggests a link between 7KC, choroidal fibrosis in neovascular AMD, and poor response to anti-VEGF treatment. Up to 50% of patients who undergo anti-VEGF therapy stop responding to the therapy long-term. In addition to research into novel therapeutics, studies such as this point to a potential explanation for the failure of therapy and provide an avenue of research to interfere with the process and potentially improve treatment outcomes.

My rating of this study: ⭐⭐⭐

See also: New therapeutic approach may help treat age-related macular degeneration effectively