KUS121 for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

(GION Trial)

Recruiting at 39 trial locations

Overseen By Kyoto Drug Discovery & Development Clinical Trials Contact

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Kyoto Drug Discovery and Development Co., Ltd.

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmologic emergency which leads to severe and permanent vision loss. There is no evidence-based therapy for CRAO. The objective of this GION study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KUS121 intravitreal (IVT) injection in participants with acute non-arteritic CRAO.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot have had thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or prostaglandin E1 systemic treatment within 1 month of screening.

What data supports the idea that KUS121 for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion is an effective drug?

The available research shows that KUS121 was tested in a small study with nine patients who had Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. All patients showed significant improvement in their vision after receiving the drug. Specifically, their ability to see letters on a vision chart improved, and their overall vision scores got better. By the end of the study, four out of nine patients had a vision score better than 0.1, and seven out of nine had a score equal to or better than 0.05. This suggests that KUS121 could be an effective treatment, but more research with larger groups of people is needed to confirm these results. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data is available for KUS121 treatment?

The safety of KUS121 was evaluated in a first-in-humans, phase 1/2 clinical trial involving nine patients with non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion. Patients received daily intravitreal injections of KUS121 for 3 days, with no serious adverse events reported. This trial supports the safety of KUS121, but further larger scale studies are needed to substantiate these findings. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Is the drug KUS121 a promising treatment for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion?

Yes, KUS121 is a promising drug for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. In a small study, all patients showed significant improvement in vision, and the drug was safe without serious side effects. More research is needed to confirm these results. ^{2 4 10 11 12}

Research Team

Kunihiro Musashi, MD., Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Kyoto Drug Discovery ＆ Development Co., Ltd.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women over 20 who've had a non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) within the last 48 hours, with specific inflammation markers within normal ranges. They must have severe vision loss but not complete blindness in one eye and be able to attend clinic visits.

Inclusion Criteria

My eye exam showed swelling or bright spots in the inner layers of my retina.

I am willing and able to follow the study's requirements and can sign the consent form myself or through a legal representative.

I am 20 years old or older.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• KUS121 (Other)

Trial Overview The study tests two doses of KUS121 via an eye injection against a sham procedure to see if it can help with acute CRAO, which currently has no proven treatment. The goal is to find out if this drug can improve vision safely.

Participant Groups

Group I: KUS121 low dose group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: KUS121 high dose group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group III: Control group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kyoto Drug Discovery and Development Co., Ltd.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Findings from Research

This nationwide study identified 3464 cases of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in Korea, revealing an incidence rate of 1.80 per 100,000 person-years, with a higher rate in men (2.15) compared to women (1.47).

The incidence of CRAO significantly increases with age, peaking at 10.08 per 100,000 person-years in individuals aged 80 to 84, indicating that older adults are at a greater risk for this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nationwide incidence of clinically diagnosed central retinal artery occlusion in Korea, 2008 to 2011. Park, SJ., Choi, NK., Seo, KH., et al.[2014]

In a first-in-humans phase 1/2 clinical trial involving 9 patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion, KUS121 was found to be safe, with no serious adverse events reported after daily intravitreal injections for 3 days.

All patients showed significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity, with 44% achieving a decimal BCVA better than 0.1 by week 12, indicating that KUS121 may be an effective neuroprotectant for this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and effectiveness of a novel neuroprotectant, KUS121, in patients with non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion: An open-label, non-randomized, first-in-humans, phase 1/2 trial. Ikeda, HO., Muraoka, Y., Hata, M., et al.[2020]

In a rat model of retinal ischemia, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 showed significant protective effects on retinal thickness and ganglion cell counts at a dose of 10 mg/kg, indicating its potential efficacy in preventing retinal damage after elevated intraocular pressure.

MK-801 also reduced DNA fragmentation and tissue responses associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury, suggesting that targeting NMDA receptors could be a promising strategy to mitigate retinal neuron apoptosis and improve outcomes after ischemic events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ameliorative effect of MK-801 on retinal ischemia. Lam, TT., Siew, E., Chu, R., et al.[2013]

The crude incidence rate of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in Japan is 5.84 per 100,000 person-years, which is higher than rates reported in other countries, indicating a significant public health concern in the context of Japan's aging population.

Men are 1.40 times more likely to experience CRAO than women, with incidence rates of 6.85 per 100,000 person-years for men compared to 4.88 for women, highlighting the need for targeted healthcare strategies for at-risk groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nationwide incidence of central retinal artery occlusion in Japan: an exploratory descriptive study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims (2011-2015). Kido, A., Tamura, H., Ikeda, HO., et al.[2021]

Substance P-like nerve fibers were found to surround the central retinal artery in rabbits, indicating a specific nerve supply to this artery.

In contrast, no nerve fibers were detected in the central retinal vein or retinal blood vessels, suggesting that these structures are innervated by different nerve systems, with the artery receiving peripheral nerve innervation and the retinal vessels being controlled by the central nervous system.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the central retinal artery of the rabbit. Kumagai, N., Yuda, K., Kadota, T., et al.[2019]

CKLP1, a novel ocular hypotensive agent, was found to be safe for use in Dutch-belted pigmented rabbits, showing no observable histological changes after 90 days of topical application.

The pharmacokinetic profile indicated that CKLP1 is converted to its active form, levcromakalim, in the eye, with low systemic absorption, suggesting it effectively lowers intraocular pressure with minimal side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profile of the novel ocular hypotensive prodrug CKLP1 in Dutch-belted pigmented rabbits. Roy Chowdhury, U., Kudgus, RA., Rinkoski, TA., et al.[2023]

In a rat model of retinal ischemic injury, the compound KUS121 significantly reduced retinal cell death and preserved visual function, indicating its potential as a neuroprotective treatment.

KUS121 was effective both when administered systemically and through intravitreal injection, with the latter showing equal or better efficacy, suggesting it could be a promising therapy for ischemic retinal diseases by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

KUS121, a VCP modulator, attenuates ischemic retinal cell death via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Hata, M., Ikeda, HO., Kikkawa, C., et al.[2018]

The study examined 6 cases of sudden vision loss characterized by a central scotoma, revealing ischemic edema in the eye and cotton wool bodies in some patients, indicating potential retinal damage.

Fluorescein angiography showed delays in blood flow to the choroid and central retinal artery, suggesting that carotid artery circulatory insufficiency may contribute to macular injury through choroidal artery obstruction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Acute insufficiency of the chorioretinal circulation]. Saraux, H., Laroche, L., Le Hoang, P.[2006]

KUS121, a novel valosin-containing protein modulator, effectively protects retinal cells from ischemic injury by inhibiting ATP depletion and reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as demonstrated in a rat model.

Intravitreal injections of KUS121 significantly reduced retinal cell death and inner retinal thinning, while preserving visual functions, indicating its potential as a therapeutic strategy for ischemic retinal diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modulation of valosin-containing protein by Kyoto University Substances (KUS) as a novel therapeutic strategy for ischemic neuronal diseases. Hata, M., Ikeda, HO.[2020]

A 29-year-old male experienced sudden vision loss due to central retinal artery occlusion while having an optic disk melanocytoma, indicating that such tumors can lead to significant retinal vascular issues.

The study suggests that the rapid visual loss may result from tumor necrosis rather than malignant transformation, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of patients with optic disk melanocytoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Central retinal artery occlusion secondary to optic disk melanocytoma. Rishi, P., Venkatesh, R.[2022]

A 48-year-old woman experienced a central retinal artery occlusion with sparing of the cilioretinal artery just one day after undergoing laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, highlighting a rare postoperative complication.

Despite the occlusion, the fovea remained intact and perfused due to the presence of the cilioretinal artery, which may have helped preserve some visual function, as indicated by her visual acuity of 20/40 in the affected eye.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION WITH CILIORETINAL ARTERY SPARING AFTER LASER-ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS. Francis, AW., Zhu, I., Borirakchanyavat, S., et al.[2021]

Transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis (TYE) was successfully used in two cases of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), leading to the complete removal of the embolus and significant improvement in visual acuity.

This technique appears to be a promising therapeutic option for BRAO caused by visible emboli, although further experience and studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety on a larger scale.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transluminal Nd: YAG laser embolysis for branch retinal artery occlusion: Case report. Zhang, W., An, N., Zhang, X., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nationwide incidence of clinically diagnosed central retinal artery occlusion in Korea, 2008 to 2011. [2014]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and effectiveness of a novel neuroprotectant, KUS121, in patients with non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion: An open-label, non-randomized, first-in-humans, phase 1/2 trial. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ameliorative effect of MK-801 on retinal ischemia. [2013]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nationwide incidence of central retinal artery occlusion in Japan: an exploratory descriptive study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims (2011-2015). [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the central retinal artery of the rabbit. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profile of the novel ocular hypotensive prodrug CKLP1 in Dutch-belted pigmented rabbits. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

KUS121, a VCP modulator, attenuates ischemic retinal cell death via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress. [2018]

8. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Acute insufficiency of the chorioretinal circulation]. [2006]

9. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modulation of valosin-containing protein by Kyoto University Substances (KUS) as a novel therapeutic strategy for ischemic neuronal diseases. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Central retinal artery occlusion secondary to optic disk melanocytoma. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION WITH CILIORETINAL ARTERY SPARING AFTER LASER-ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS. [2021]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transluminal Nd: YAG laser embolysis for branch retinal artery occlusion: Case report. [2023]