Efficacy and Safety of Minocycline in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Study Overview
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) leads to the gradual loss of vision due to the death of photoreceptor cells. This process is worsened by the activation of microglia, which are immune cells in the eye. Currently, there is no agreed-upon treatment for RP. Minocycline is known to inhibit microglia and has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. However, its effectiveness in RP patients was not previously established.
Trial Details
We conducted a study where 35 RP patients took 100 mg of oral minocycline daily for 12 months. The main goal was to see if there was an improvement in the electroretinography (ERG) amplitude after one year. Secondary goals included assessing other visual functions such as visual field, best-corrected visual acuity, and color vision.
Results
Out of 288 patients screened, 35 were enrolled (average age 36 years; 48.6% female). By the end of the study, 34.3% of participants showed improvement in ERG amplitude. All secondary outcomes also showed positive results. While 62.9% of participants reported mild adverse events, all were resolved without additional medication, and no severe adverse events occurred.
Conclusion
Daily oral minocycline for 12 months appears to improve visual function in RP patients with good safety. This suggests that minocycline could be a promising treatment for RP, but further research through randomized controlled trials is necessary.
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