Oral Medication for Diabetic Eye Disease
By Andrew Briskin
A clinical trial is recruiting adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to investigate a potential oral medication for diabetic retinopathy and other eye complications of diabetes.
Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT04265261
Trial Name: A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of RG7774 in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 or Type 2 With Treatment-Naive Diabetic Retinopathy (CANBERRA)
Diabetes Type: Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Trial Sponsor: Hoffmann-La Roche
What is the trial testing?
This trial is investigating the impact of a new oral drug, currently identified as RG7774, on vision changes and the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with diabetes. DR is one of the most common eye complications of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide.
The trial is recruiting 135 participants. Over the course of 36 weeks, researchers will measure any improvements in vision, specifically the number of trial participants who show improvements on a scale called the diabetic retinopathy severity scale. Researchers will also keep track of any adverse side effects of the drug and new cases of DR or another eye complication called diabetic macular edema (DME).
Why is this new trial important?
Several treatments for diabetic eye complications are currently available, which fall into two categories: laser treatments and injectable medications to the eye. Though these types of treatments have been shown to be effective, many people avoid them because they require visits to the clinic, an operation (laser treatments), or the anxiety-provoking thought of an injection into the eyeball.
This experimental drug, on the other hand, can be taken orally. An oral treatment option for retinopathy and other eye complications of diabetes could make it easier for people with diabetes to seek out and receive treatment, which, down the road, could slow the progression of these conditions and prevent vision loss.
Trial Length: 52 weeks
Trial Locations: This is a multicenter study with 73 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Poland. See a list of all participating locations here.
Are you interested?
You may be eligible to participate in this trial if:
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You are 18 years or older and were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
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You have an A1C below 12.0%
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You are NOT currently pregnant or breastfeeding
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You have NOT previously received treatment for retinopathy or DME
See a full list of inclusion/exclusion criteria here.
For more information: To learn more, contact the study team at [email protected] or call 888-662-6728.
