The Vitreous Proteome and Inflammatory Mediators in Ocular Inflammatory Disease

Completed

• Conditions: Vasculitis; Ocular Inflammatory Disease; Uveitis

• Registration Number: NCT00331331
• Lead Sponsor: National Eye Institute (NEI)

Brief Summary

This study will examine the proteins of people with uveitis, or inflammation of the eyes. Evaluating the vitreous, the colorless transparent substance that fills the eyeball in back of the lens, is now possible with the use of new microtechnology. There is an opportunity to evaluate the kinds of proteins that are present in severe, noninfectious sight-threatening uveitis.

Up to 300 participants, ages 18 and older with the appropriate ocular disorders and where vitreous or anterior chamber fluid specimens can be obtained, will be enrolled in the study. This number includes participants that were previously enrolled as part of the Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) study, as well as patients who participate in other intramural NIH studies and agree to participate in this study. Researchers will study the vitreous that will be removed from patients' eyes during an operation to insert a steroid implant. The steroid implant is used instead of immunosuppressive therapy, a way to reduce the action of the immune system.

Patients will undergo a procedure involving a small hole made in the eye into which the implant is placed. Normally a small amount of the vitreous comes out during that procedure, and in this study, the vitreous specimen will be taken for testing of inflammatory products. At the same time, a small sample of blood, about 1-1/2 tablespoons, will be collected so that the researchers can compare inflammatory products that may be in the blood with those in the vitreous. If a patient needs to have the implant placed again during the study, he or she would be asked permission for collection of the vitreous and blood samples, as previously. Samples collected will not be used to diagnose patients' conditions or to change any treatments being done. All samples will be labeled with special code numbers so that there is no identifying information about patients. This study will not involve examinations or scheduled visits of patients.

Detailed Description

Newer therapies to treat many ocular disorders including uveitis are being considered and studied. We do not have a clear picture as to what lymphokines/chemokines are present in the vitreous or anterior chamber fluid of patients with active intraocular inflammatory disease as well as other disorders with a proposed inflammatory component such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetes. Further, no studies have been yet performed evaluating the proteome of the vitreous or anterior chamber fluid in the uveitic, AMD and diabetic state.

This is a natural history study with specimens taken after indicated surgery for patients with uveitis and other studies. Specimens of anterior chamber fluid and vitreous will be evaluated for 32 cytokines and the proteome using systems permitting the evaluation of small amounts of material. A serum sample will be taken at the same time to compare with the lymphokine profile found in the vitreous. Previously, patients participating in the MUST (Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment) study, a randomized study evaluating an ocular steroid implant versus standard immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of intermediate and posterior uveitis, were enrolled. However, as the MUST study is complete; we are currently only accepting participants from the NEI or other intramural NIH studies where permission is obtained from the patient to allow such evaluations to be done.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2006-05-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-05-27
• Study First Posted: 2006-05-29
• Study Start: 2007-02-14
• Primary Completion: 2019-02-01
• Study Completion: 2019-02-01
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-29
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 147

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To compare the vitreous and anterior chamber fluid immune/protein profile with that of the peripheral blood.	duration of the study	To compare the vitreous and anterior chamber fluid immune/protein profile with that of the peripheral blood.
To begin to develop a proteomic picture of the vitreous and anterior chamber fluid.	duration of study	To begin to develop a proteomic picture of the vitreous and anterior chamber fluid.
To gather information about the kinds of cytokines/lymphokines, biomarkers, proteome and exosomes that are present in the vitreous and AC fluid of an eye with uveitis as well as other retinal disorders such as AMD, diabetes and others.	duration of the study	To gather information about the kinds of cytokines/lymphokines, biomarkers, proteome and exosomes that are present in the vitreous and AC fluid of an eye with uveitis as well as other retinal disorders such as AMD, diabetes and others.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center; 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States