Manchester Royal Eye Hospital celebrates more success in recruiting first UK patient to new clinical trial
Congratulations to Mr Susmito Biswas, Consultant Ophthalmologist, and his research team at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital for recruiting the first UK patient to the Rainbow study.
Rainbow is a randomised, controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Ranibizumab compared with laser therapy for the treatment of infants born prematurely with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
ROP is a condition that can affect the eyes of some premature babies. In this condition, blood vessels in the back of the eye can develop abnormally. If left untreated, tissue at the back of the eye (the retina) which is responsible for vision can become distorted or detached, which can result in poor vision and blindness.
The current standard method of treatment of ROP is laser therapy. The laser is directed through the front of the eye into the back of the eye, and the doctor aims the beam of light to make multiple burns into the retina. Laser therapy to the retina can stop the abnormal blood vessels from growing and reduces the risk of poor vision and blindness.
The aim of the study is to find out if Ranibizumab is safe and effective compared to laser therapy in premature babies with ROP. Ranibizumab, a small part of a protein that blocks a growth factor called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is involved in the development of blood vessels in the back of the eye and, in ROP; there is an abnormally high level of VEGF. Ranibizumab may be able to help with ROP by blocking excessive VEGF and allowing the blood vessels in the back of the eye to grow normally again.
Mr Susmito Biswas added:
I’d like to thank the dedication of the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital research team, the ROP co-ordinating team at St Mary’s and collaborators in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Region, for working so hard to recruit the first UK patient to this trial. This once again illustrates our excellent performance in managing clinical studies. Being able to run studies such as RAINBOW means we are able to provide patients access to new treatment pathways.
