Evaluating a New Peptide Therapy for Retinal Diseases: AMD, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Dystrophies

NCT ID: NCT06787482

Last Updated: 2025-04-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-11-12

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Summary of the Study This clinical trial evaluates a novel peptide-based therapy for treating retinal dystrophies, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The therapy consists of peptides derived from fetal tissues, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and bioactive growth factors, administered sublingually for systemic absorption.

Study Objectives:

Primary Objectives: Assess safety and tolerability, and evaluate the therapy's effects on retinal function and structure.

Secondary Objectives: Explore improvements in visual acuity, retinal thickness, vascular health, and disease biomarkers.

Study Design:

Type: Open-label, single-arm interventional study. Duration: 12 months.

Participants: 150 adults, divided into three cohorts:

Retinal dystrophies. AMD (dry and wet forms). DR (moderate NPDR and PDR).

Intervention:

A sublingual solution containing peptides and growth factors, taken 4 times daily.

Outcome Measures:

Primary Outcomes: Safety (adverse events) and tolerability (treatment adherence).

Secondary Outcomes:

Functional: Visual acuity and field sensitivity improvements. Structural: Retinal thickness and vascular health. Biomarkers: Serum VEGF, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers.

Study Procedures:

Monthly follow-ups for safety monitoring, vision tests, retinal imaging (OCT, FA), and blood biomarker analysis.

Comprehensive evaluations at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Significance: The study aims to provide an innovative, non-invasive treatment for debilitating retinal conditions, potentially improving vision and retinal health through systemic therapy.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Protocol for Evaluating a Novel Peptide-Based Therapy in Retinal Dystrophies, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy

Authors :

Mohamed Yasser Sayed Saif Prof of ophthalmology , Beni-Suef University Sherin Amer Family medicine consultant, Alaa Abdelkarim Endocrinology consultant , ACE Cells Lab Ahmed Tamer Sayed Saif Assistant Professor of ophthalmology, Fayoum University Passant Sayed Saif Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Misr University for Science and Technology

1. Background and Rationale Retinal diseases such as retinal dystrophies, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide. These conditions result from different pathophysiological mechanisms but share common features like oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cellular degeneration.

The novel therapy under evaluation consists of low molecular weight peptides derived from fetal tissues and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The formulation also incorporates bioactive growth factors and essential peptides to support retinal health and regeneration. Sublingual administration ensures systemic absorption and avoids invasive delivery methods.
2. Objectives

<!-- -->

1. Primary Objectives

* Assess the safety and tolerability of the peptide-based therapy.
* Evaluate its effects on retinal function and structure in patients with retinal dystrophies, AMD, and DR.
2. Secondary Objectives

* Explore improvements in visual function (acuity, field sensitivity).
* Monitor changes in retinal thickness and vascular health.
* Investigate its impact on disease biomarkers in the blood (e.g., VEGF, oxidative stress markers).
3. Study Design • Type: Open-label, interventional, single-arm study.

* Duration: 12 months.
* Participants: 150 participants, stratified equally into three cohorts:

* Cohort 1: Retinal dystrophies (e.g., macular dystrophy, Stargardt disease).
* Cohort 2: AMD (both dry and wet forms).
* Cohort 3: Diabetic retinopathy (moderate NPDR and PDR).
4. Participants 4.1 Inclusion Criteria

• Adults aged 18-80 years diagnosed with retinal dystrophies, AMD, or DR.

• BCVA between 20/40 and 20/400 in the study eye.
* Evidence of disease progression within the last 12 months (e.g., worsening visual acuity, OCT changes).
* Stable systemic conditions allowing safe participation. 4.2 Exclusion Criteria
* Active ocular infections or inflammation.
* Recent ocular surgeries (within 3 months).
* Co-existing advanced glaucoma or other retinal diseases.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Hypersensitivity to components of the peptide formulation.
5. Intervention 5.1 Study Drug

• Formulation: Sublingual solution containing peptides derived from fetal retinal, optic nerve, and neural tissues, MSC-derived peptides, and platelet growth factors.

• Dosage: 1.0 mL sublingually, four times daily. 5.2 Administration

• Self-administered by participants in the morning and evening.
6. Outcome Measures 6.1 Primary Outcomes • Safety:

* Incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) over 12 months. • Tolerability:
* Adherence to treatment regimen and participant-reported discomfort. 6.2 Secondary Outcomes

<!-- -->

1. Functional Outcomes:

o BCVA changes measured using ETDRS charts.
* Visual field sensitivity improvement assessed by automated perimetry.
2. Structural Outcomes:

o Retinal thickness and photoreceptor integrity evaluated by SD-OCT.

o Vascular leakage and neovascularization assessed using fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT angiography (OCTA).
3. Biochemical and Biomarker Outcomes:

* Serum VEGF levels and oxidative stress markers.
* Inflammatory cytokine profiles (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α).

7\. Study Procedures 7.1 Screening Visit

1\. Informed Consent: Participants will provide written consent after a detailed explanation of the study.

2\. Baseline Assessments:

* Comprehensive medical and ocular history.
* BCVA measurement using ETDRS charts.
* SD-OCT imaging of retinal structure.
* FA and OCTA for vascular assessment.
* Blood sampling for biomarkers (VEGF, inflammatory cytokines). 7.2 Monthly Follow-Up Visits 1. Safety Monitoring: Documentation of AEs and systemic health assessment. 2. Ocular Assessments:
* BCVA measurement.
* SD-OCT imaging to monitor retinal thickness and integrity.
* OCTA and FA for vascular changes (if indicated). 7.3 Midpoint Visit (6 Months) 1. Repeat all baseline assessments, including biomarkers and electrophysiology (full-field ERG).

7.4 End-of-Study Visit (12 Months)

1. Comprehensive evaluation of functional, structural, and biochemical outcomes.
2. Participant feedback on therapy tolerability and perceived benefits.

8\. Statistical Analysis

1\. Sample Size Justification:

o Effect size and variability for BCVA improvement and retinal thickness changes are estimated from previous studies. A sample size of 150 ensures 80% power to detect a clinically meaningful difference at a 5% significance level.

2\. Data Analysis Plan:

* Continuous variables (e.g., BCVA, OCT metrics) analyzed using paired t-tests or ANOVA.
* Proportions of responders (e.g., those with BCVA improvement ≥5 letters) analyzed using chi-square tests.
* Correlation analysis between biomarkers and functional outcomes.

9\. Ethical Considerations
1. Regulatory Compliance:
* Conducted per the Declaration of Helsinki and ICH-GCP guidelines. 2. IRB Approval: Secured before study commencement. 3. Informed Consent: Participants provided detailed study information and signed consent forms.

4\. Data Confidentiality: All participant data anonymized and securely stored.

10\. References
1. Wong WL, Su X, Li X, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2

. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70145-1.
2. Cheung N, Mitchell P, Wong TY. Diabetic retinopathy. Lancet. 2010;376:124-36. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)62124-3.
3. Scholl HP, Strauss RW, Singh MS, et al. Emerging therapies for inherited retinal degeneration. Sci Transl Med. 2016;8:368rv6. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf2838.
4. Ciulla TA, Amador AG, Zinman B. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema: pathophysiology, screening, and novel therapies. Diabetes Care. 2003;26(9):2653-64. doi:10.2337/diacare.26.9.2653.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Age Related Macular Degeneration Diabetic Retinopathy

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

The study should enroll 25 participants, rounded to 30 participants to ensure adequate power after accounting for variability and potential dropouts
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

administer 1 ml of Ace Retino 4 times daily for 6 months,safety evaluation

Primary Objective: Evaluate the safety and tolerability of ACE Retino in individuals with RP.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

ACE Retino

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1 ml sublingually self administer / 4 times/day for 6 months

test efficacy for ACE Retino 1 ml 4times daily sublingual for 6 months

Assess the efficacy of ACE Retino in improving retinal structure and function. Explore the potential for photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) regeneration.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

ACE Retino

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1 ml sublingually self administer / 4 times/day for 6 months

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

ACE Retino

1 ml sublingually self administer / 4 times/day for 6 months

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* • Adults aged 18-65 years with a confirmed genetic or clinical diagnosis of RP.

* Visual acuity of ≥1/60 in at least one eye.
* Stable ocular and systemic condition over the past six months.
* Ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* • Significant ocular comorbidities (e.g., advanced glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy).

* Recent ocular surgery (within six months) or current use of investigational drugs.
* Systemic conditions affecting study outcomes (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases).
* Pregnancy or lactation.
Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

European Wellness Academy

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Ace Cells Lab Limited

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Dr. Passant Sayed Saif, PhD ophthalmology

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Associate prof of Ophthalmology Misr University for science and technology

Dr. Mohammed Yasser Sayed Saif, PhD Ophthalmology

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Dean of NILES Prof of Ophthalmology Beni-Suef University

Dr. Alaa Abdelkarim Mohammed, MRCPUK Endocirnology

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

ACE Cells Lab Limited Chief Medical Consultant

Dr. Ahmed Tamer Sayed Saif, PhD Ophthalmology

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Chairman of Ophthalmology department Associate prof of Ophthalmology Fayoum university

DR. Mike Chan, stem cells expert

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

European Wellness Academy

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Dr. Seif Clinic

Cairo, , Egypt

Site Status RECRUITING

British Center for Regeerative medicne (Cairo)

Giza, , Egypt

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Egypt

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Dr. Alaa Abdelkairm Mohammed, MRCPUK Endocrinology

Role: CONTACT

+447473922553

Dr. Shireen Amer, M.Sc Occupational&industrial M

Role: CONTACT

+20 100 069 9555

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Dr. Mohammed Yasser Sayed Saif, PhD Ophthalmology, professor

Role: primary

+20 100 669 9288

Dr. Alaa Abdelkarim Mohammed, MRCPUK Endocrinology

Role: primary

+201110787773

Dr. Shireen Amer, M.Sc Occupational&industrial M

Role: backup

+20 100 069 9555

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

ACE_Retino_EG

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.