Conclusions
At 5 years, the MacTel Project has gleaned an enormous amount of information about MacTel type 2, but the disease’s pathogenesis remains obscure and no treatments are available.
Further study of subclinical disease will likely help to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Goals of the MacTel Project now include further research to identify related gene defects, further development of animal models, the use of adaptive optics to study photoreceptor changes in the earliest clinical phenotype of the disease, identification of potential treatments, and ultimately a phase 3 clinical trial with one or more candidate therapies. Exploratory clinical trials may begin this year. Additionally, another post mortem sample of the condition would help to confirm histologic findings and might reveal further valuable insights.
With the progress made against this puzzling disease at the 5-year mark of the MacTel Project, the project investigators hope to stimulate other groups to join in the research. With the help of a generous grant, the investigators are now calling for projects, with the potential to allocate up to $30,000 to successful applicants. We hope this funding opportunity will give us the chance to continue the work of the MacTel Project with new members and renewed vigor.
The MacTel project is being funded by the Lowy Medical Research Institute.
Read more about this topic: Macular Telangiectasia
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