MMP-9 Inhibition for Recalcitrant Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

What this Trial Is About

Wet or neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the Western world. This research investigates the effects of oral doxycycline compared to placebo on persistent sub-retinal fluid in patients with wAMD who do not fully respond to standard anti-VEGF eye injections. The study focuses on those who continue to have retinal fluid despite ongoing treatment, aiming to improve anatomical and functional outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either a daily 50 mg oral capsule of doxycycline or a placebo for six months in a double-masked setup. The study lasts nine months, with assessments every three months, including a three-month follow-up after treatment ends. Study visits coincide with routine anti-VEGF injection appointments, and medical data from eye scans, visual acuity tests, and injection records are collected. Throughout the study, blood and eye fluid samples are taken at the start, six months, and nine months to measure inflammatory markers and monitor drug tolerance. Participants also complete questionnaires on vision quality of life and medication side effects. The main outcome measured is the resolution of persistent retinal fluid using optical coherence tomography at nine months, alongside secondary outcomes such as changes in retinal thickness, visual acuity, injection frequency, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).

MMP-9 Inhibition for Recalcitrant Wet AMD