Evaluation of an oral telomerase activator for early age-related macular degeneration - a pilot study

• Published in: Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) N.Z.), 2016-01, Vol.10 (Issue 1), p.243-249
• Main Authors: Dow, Coad Thomas, Harley, Calvin B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age-Related Macular Degeneration Telomerase Telomere Telomerase Activation RPE Senescence Micro-perimetry MAIA; Analysis; Antioxidants; Care and treatment; Cell division; Clinical Trial Report; Disease; Enzymes; Macular degeneration; Ophthalmology; Oxidative stress; Photoreceptors; Physiological aspects; Retina; Senescence; Telomerase
• ISSN: 1177-5467; 1177-5483; 1177-5483
• DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S100042

Telomere attrition and corresponding cellular senescence of the retinal pigment epithelium contribute to the changes of age-related macular degeneration. Activation of the enzyme telomerase can add telomeric DNA to retinal pigment epithelium chromosomal ends and has been proposed as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration. We report the use of a small molecule, oral telomerase activator (TA)-65 in early macular degeneration. This study, focusing on early macular degeneration, provides a model for the use of TAs in age-related disease. Thirty-eight (38) patients were randomly assigned to a 1-year, double-blinded, placebo-controlled interventional study with arms for oral TA-65 or placebo. Macular functions via micro-perimetry were the primary measured outcomes. The macular function in the arm receiving the TA-65 showed significant improvement relative to the placebo control. The improvement was manifest at 6 months and was maintained at 1 year: macular threshold sensitivity (measured as average dB [logarithmic decibel scale of light attenuation]) improved 0.97 dB compared to placebo (P-value 0.02) and percent reduced thresholds lessened 8.2% compared to the placebo arm (P-value 0.04). The oral TA significantly improved the macular function of treatment subjects compared to controls. Although this study was a pilot and a larger study is being planned, it is noteworthy in that it is, to our knowledge, the first randomized placebo-controlled study of a TA supplement.