Persons with the CFH CC genotype have an increased likelihood of bilateral compared with unilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study. AMD is an irreversible debilitating disease with complex genetic and environmental contributors. Recent research has focused on identifying the genetic predisposition to AMD, and...

Using a synthetic form of complement factor H (fH), called CR2-fH, researchers were able to inhibit development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a mouse model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Studies on the pathogenesis of AMD indicate that inflammation is a fundamental component of the disease process and that the alternative...

A new study finds evidence of systemic complement activation in patients with recent onset exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is belived that chronic inflammatory processes play a role in the progression of AMD. The complement system plays an important role in modulating the inflammatory response. Activation of the complement...

Analysis of data from the DAWN genetics substudy of Lucentis (ranibizumab) trials found that the fifth component of complement (C5) I802V polymorphism was associated with a risk of age-related macular degeneration, with a noted reaction to the anti-VEGF drug. "The C5 I802V polymorphism was associated with differential response to ranibizumab,...

Potentia Pharmaceuticals has successfully completed a phase 1 clinical trial of a complement factor C3 inhibitor for treating age-related macular degeneration, the company announced in a press release. The open-label, multicenter ASaP (Assessment of safety of intravitreal POT-4 therapy for patients with neovascular age-related macular...

Exudative AMD patients with the compliment factor H (CFH Y402H) high risk genotype (CC) received approximately one more Lucentis injection over a 9 month follow-up period than persons who do not have the high risk genotype. Genetic studies have made advancements in establishing the molecular cause of AMD. Two genes that seem to greatly...

A new study finds that weekly fish consumption decreases the risk of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in persons with the high-risk complement factor H (CFH) genotype but not in persons with the low risk CFH genotypes. Complement factor H is an important regulator of the complement system. CFH specifically inhibits the alternative...

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is responsible for digesting the waste products of the photoreceptors. The digestion process is very efficient, but a tiny fraction of the waste is chemically indigestible, and will accumulate within the RPE. A hallmark of aging is the accumulation of undigested waste products in the form of lipofuscin within...

A study finds that persons homozygous for the compliment factor H high-risk allele have a smaller treatment response to the AREDS vitamin/mineral supplement than persons homozygous for the low-risk allele. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 876 white participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) study with categories 3 and 4...

A new study finds a relationship between serum cystatin C level (a measure of kidney function) and chronic kidney disease (defined by glomerular filtration rate) with the incidence of AMD. The finding of a relationship of complement factor H Y402H (1277T->C) genotype status to both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and kidney disease has...