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Amaurosis of LeberPhase 1LCANCT00481546

Phase I Trial of Gene Vector to Patients With Retinal Disease Due to RPE65 Mutations

A Phase 1 study testing rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65 in people with Amaurosis of Leber and Retinal Diseases, run by University of Pennsylvania at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

A recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) vector has been altered to carry the human RPE65 (hRPE65) gene. This vector has been shown to restore vision in animal models that resemble human RPE65-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an incurable retinal degeneration that causes severe vision loss. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 8 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Amaurosis of Leber, Retinal Diseases
What is being tested?
rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
Jul 2007to Dec 2016
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 8 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • RPE65-associated retinal disease (two disease-causing RPE65 mutations);
  • Clinical diagnosis of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA)/early-onset retinal degeneration (EORD) and of severely impaired visual and retinal function, and best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the study eye;
  • Ability to perform tests of visual and retinal function;
  • Visible photoreceptor layer on a standard OCT scan;
  • Good general health;
  • Ability to comply with research procedures;
  • Specific for Cohorts 1, 2 and 4: 18 years of age and older;
  • Specific for Cohorts 3 and 5: Between 8 and 17 years of age, inclusive.

Who cannot join

  • AAV antibody titers greater than two standard deviations above normal at baseline;
  • Humoral immune deficiency as evidenced by low tetanus toxoid IgG antibody titers;
  • Pre-existing eye conditions that would preclude the planned surgery or interfere with the interpretation of study endpoints or surgical complications;
  • Complicating systemic diseases;
  • Use of anti-platelet agents that may alter coagulation within 7 days prior to study agent administration;
  • Use of immunosuppressive medications;
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
  • Individuals (males and females) of childbearing potential who are unwilling to use effective contraception;
  • Any condition that would prevent a subject from completing follow-up examinations during the course of the study;
  • Any condition that makes the subject unsuitable for the study;
  • Current, or recent participation, in any other research protocol involving investigational agents or therapies;
  • Recent receipt of an investigational biologic therapeutic agent.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • Shands Children's Hospital, University of Florida

    Gainesville, Florida, 32610

  • Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Phase I Trial of Ocular Subretinal Injection of a Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65) Gene Vector to Patients With Retinal Disease Due to RPE65 Mutations (Clinical Trials of Gene Therapy for Leber Congenital Amaurosis)

A recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) vector has been altered to carry the human RPE65 (hRPE65) gene. This vector has been shown to restore vision in animal models that resemble human RPE65-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an incurable retinal degeneration that causes severe vision loss. The proposed study is an open label, Phase I clinical trial of subretinal rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65 administration to individuals with RPE65-associated retinal disease. Five cohorts will be included in this trial. Cohorts 1, 2 and 4 will consist of individuals 18 years of age and older. Cohorts 3 and 5 will consist of individuals between the ages of 8 and 17, inclusive. Enrollment in Cohorts 3 and 5 will begin only after confirming the safety of rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65 administration in the older groups of participants. This trial will lead to a greater understanding of the safety and thereby potential value of gene transfer in RPE65-associated retinal disease and will have implications for other forms of retinal degenerative disease amenable to this type of intervention.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the safety of uniocular subretinal administration of rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65 in individuals with RPE65-associated retinal disease. Ocular and systemic toxicity will be assessed prior to and following vector administration to determine if there are adverse changes that may be associated with vector administration.

Being tested
rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65
Keywords
Leber congenital amaurosis, LCA, RPE65, Retinal disease due to RPE65 mutations, RPE65-associated Leber congenital amaurosis
Medical subject headings
Retinal Diseases, Leber Congenital Amaurosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65Genetic

    One or two, uniocular, subretinal injections; relative doses: 0.3X (Cohort 1), 0.6X (Cohort 2), 0.45X (Cohort 3), 0.9X (Cohorts 4 and 5)

Study groups in NCT00481546
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ExperimentalExperimentalAll clinical trial subjects received the same vector.
Receives: Genetic: rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The primary safety endpoint in this trial is the standard ocular examination. Toxicity will also be assessed by measurement of vision, hematology and serum chemistries, assays for vector genomes, reported subject history of symptoms and adverse events.

    Measured: 15 years

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Visual function will be quantified prior to and after vector administration in order to determine whether vector administration affects visual function.

    Measured: 15 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Jun 2007 (estimated)
  2. Study startJul 2007
  3. Primary completionDec 2016
  4. Study completionDec 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Enrolment
15 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00481546
Sponsor's protocol ID
547233
Other IDs
Grant: 1 U10 EY017280-01;, UP IRB: 804582;, UP IBC: 06-105;, UF GCRC: 675;, UF IBC RD: 2795;, WIRB: 20061300
Acronym
LCA
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
31 May 2007
Last updated
17 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Jacobson SG, Boye SL, Aleman TS, Conlon TJ, Zeiss CJ, Roman AJ, Cideciyan AV, Schwartz SB, Komaromy AM, Doobrajh M, Cheung AY, Sumaroka A, Pearce-Kelling SE, Aguirre GD, Kaushal S, Maguire AM, Flotte TR, Hauswirth WW. Safety in nonhuman primates of ocular AAV2-RPE65, a candidate treatment for blindness in Leber congenital amaurosis. Hum Gene Ther. 2006 Aug;17(8):845-58. doi: 10.1089/hum.2006.17.845.

    PubMed 16942444
  • Jacobson SG, Acland GM, Aguirre GD, Aleman TS, Schwartz SB, Cideciyan AV, Zeiss CJ, Komaromy AM, Kaushal S, Roman AJ, Windsor EA, Sumaroka A, Pearce-Kelling SE, Conlon TJ, Chiodo VA, Boye SL, Flotte TR, Maguire AM, Bennett J, Hauswirth WW. Safety of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2-RPE65 vector delivered by ocular subretinal injection. Mol Ther. 2006 Jun;13(6):1074-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

    PubMed 16644289
  • Acland GM, Aguirre GD, Bennett J, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Bennicelli J, Dejneka NS, Pearce-Kelling SE, Maguire AM, Palczewski K, Hauswirth WW, Jacobson SG. Long-term restoration of rod and cone vision by single dose rAAV-mediated gene transfer to the retina in a canine model of childhood blindness. Mol Ther. 2005 Dec;12(6):1072-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.08.008. Epub 2005 Oct 14.

    PubMed 16226919
  • Jacobson SG, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Sumaroka A, Schwartz SB, Windsor EA, Traboulsi EI, Heon E, Pittler SJ, Milam AH, Maguire AM, Palczewski K, Stone EM, Bennett J. Identifying photoreceptors in blind eyes caused by RPE65 mutations: Prerequisite for human gene therapy success. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Apr 26;102(17):6177-82. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0500646102. Epub 2005 Apr 18.

    PubMed 15837919
  • Acland GM, Aguirre GD, Ray J, Zhang Q, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Pearce-Kelling SE, Anand V, Zeng Y, Maguire AM, Jacobson SG, Hauswirth WW, Bennett J. Gene therapy restores vision in a canine model of childhood blindness. Nat Genet. 2001 May;28(1):92-5. doi: 10.1038/ng0501-92.

    PubMed 11326284
  • Jacobson SG, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Heon E, Golczak M, Beltran WA, Sumaroka A, Schwartz SB, Roman AJ, Windsor EA, Wilson JM, Aguirre GD, Stone EM, Palczewski K. Human cone photoreceptor dependence on RPE65 isomerase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Sep 18;104(38):15123-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0706367104. Epub 2007 Sep 11.

    PubMed 17848510
  • Jacobson SG, Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Roman AJ, Sumaroka A, Windsor EA, Schwartz SB, Heon E, Stone EM. Defining the residual vision in leber congenital amaurosis caused by RPE65 mutations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 May;50(5):2368-75. doi: 10.1167/iovs.08-2696. Epub 2008 Dec 30.

    PubMed 19117922
  • Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV, Aleman TS, Sumaroka A, Windsor EA, Schwartz SB, Heon E, Stone EM. Photoreceptor layer topography in children with leber congenital amaurosis caused by RPE65 mutations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Oct;49(10):4573-7. doi: 10.1167/iovs.08-2121. Epub 2008 Jun 6.

    PubMed 18539930
  • Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV. Treatment possibilities for retinitis pigmentosa. N Engl J Med. 2010 Oct 21;363(17):1669-71. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcibr1007685. No abstract available.

    PubMed 20961252
  • Cideciyan AV. Leber congenital amaurosis due to RPE65 mutations and its treatment with gene therapy. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2010 Sep;29(5):398-427. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2010.04.002. Epub 2010 Apr 24.

    PubMed 20399883
  • Cideciyan AV, Aleman TS, Boye SL, Schwartz SB, Kaushal S, Roman AJ, Pang JJ, Sumaroka A, Windsor EA, Wilson JM, Flotte TR, Fishman GA, Heon E, Stone EM, Byrne BJ, Jacobson SG, Hauswirth WW. Human gene therapy for RPE65 isomerase deficiency activates the retinoid cycle of vision but with slow rod kinetics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 30;105(39):15112-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0807027105. Epub 2008 Sep 22.

    PubMed 18809924
  • Hauswirth WW, Aleman TS, Kaushal S, Cideciyan AV, Schwartz SB, Wang L, Conlon TJ, Boye SL, Flotte TR, Byrne BJ, Jacobson SG. Treatment of leber congenital amaurosis due to RPE65 mutations by ocular subretinal injection of adeno-associated virus gene vector: short-term results of a phase I trial. Hum Gene Ther. 2008 Oct;19(10):979-90. doi: 10.1089/hum.2008.107.

    PubMed 18774912
  • Cideciyan AV, Hauswirth WW, Aleman TS, Kaushal S, Schwartz SB, Boye SL, Windsor EA, Conlon TJ, Sumaroka A, Pang JJ, Roman AJ, Byrne BJ, Jacobson SG. Human RPE65 gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis: persistence of early visual improvements and safety at 1 year. Hum Gene Ther. 2009 Sep;20(9):999-1004. doi: 10.1089/hum.2009.086.

    PubMed 19583479
  • Cideciyan AV, Hauswirth WW, Aleman TS, Kaushal S, Schwartz SB, Boye SL, Windsor EA, Conlon TJ, Sumaroka A, Roman AJ, Byrne BJ, Jacobson SG. Vision 1 year after gene therapy for Leber's congenital amaurosis. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 13;361(7):725-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc0903652. No abstract available.

    PubMed 19675341
  • Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV, Ratnakaram R, Heon E, Schwartz SB, Roman AJ, Peden MC, Aleman TS, Boye SL, Sumaroka A, Conlon TJ, Calcedo R, Pang JJ, Erger KE, Olivares MB, Mullins CL, Swider M, Kaushal S, Feuer WJ, Iannaccone A, Fishman GA, Stone EM, Byrne BJ, Hauswirth WW. Gene therapy for leber congenital amaurosis caused by RPE65 mutations: safety and efficacy in 15 children and adults followed up to 3 years. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Jan;130(1):9-24. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.298. Epub 2011 Sep 12.

    PubMed 21911650

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing rAAV2-CBSB-hRPE65 in people with Amaurosis of Leber and Retinal Diseases, run by University of Pennsylvania at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The primary safety endpoint in this trial is the standard ocular examination. Toxicity will also be assessed by measurement of vision, hematology and serum chemistries, assays for vector genomes, reported subject history of symptoms and adverse events. (time frame: 15 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00481546, which also lists 17 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jul 2026.

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