Dublin researchers make AMD breakthrough

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have made a major breakthrough with implications for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The scientists found that a component of the immune system, interleukin-18 (IL-18), acted as a guardian of eyesight by suppressing the production of damaging blood vessels behind the retina. In pre-clinical models, it was shown that IL-18 could be administered in a non-invasive way, which could represent a major improvement on the current therapeutic options.

According to a Fox News report, researchers mimicked the damage that wet AMD patients experienced by using a very fine laser to damage the back of mice eyes. They then administered a form of IL-18 that GlaxoSmithKline had been developing as a cancer therapy.