FAQs: Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec)
Luxturna, a gene therapy, is only for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2) and severe early-onset RP caused by mutations in a specific gene called RPE65.
Retina UK had been actively involved throughout the NICE decision-making process and worked hard to ensure its community’s voice was heard.
FAQs
People must have two faulty copies of the RPE65 gene, confirmed by genetic testing, as well as reasonable numbers of remaining viable retinal cells, in order to benefit from this treatment. Luxturna provides healthy copies of the RPE65 gene but relies on retinal cells using their own molecular machinery to use these new genetic instructions; it won’t help in cells that have already completely degenerated.
Clinical trial evidence shows that, in the short term, Luxturna can improve vision and prevent the condition from getting worse. In the trial showed improvements in low light vision and mobility. There is no long-term clinical evidence, but it is biologically plausible that the treatment effect is likely to continue for a considerable time.
You will need to see your ophthalmologist in the first instance; if you don’t currently have an ophthalmologist, your GP can refer you. The ophthalmologist may refer you for tests to check whether you have sufficient healthy retinal cells for the treatment to work. Luxturna provides healthy copies of the RPE65 gene but relies on retinal cells using their own molecular machinery to use these new genetic instructions; it won’t help in cells that have already degenerated. Your ophthalmologist will also need to arrange for you to have a genetic test if you don’t already know which gene is causing your sight loss, and the results for this may take some time. The test must show that you have two faulty copies of RPE65.
Around 86 people are likely to be eligible for treatment in England.
Your ophthalmologist can refer you to a treatment centre if you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you don’t know which gene is causing your sight loss, your ophthalmologist will first need to make arrangements for genetic testing; the results of this can take some time. The test must show that you have two faulty copies of RPE65.
Your ophthalmologist may also need to carry out some tests to check whether you have enough viable retinal cells for the treatment to work, especially if it’s been some time since your last ophthalmology appointment.
There is a risk of side effects, including further sight loss. These will be explained to you at the treatment centre.
Luxturna is administered via an injection into the retina, which takes place under general anaesthetic. The treatment only needs to be given once but each eye is treated separately, with at least a week between the two operations. You will then need several follow up appointments at the treatment centre.
There are four treatments centres in the UK. These are based at:
- Great Ormond Street Hospital (for children)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
- Oxford Eye Hospital
Yes. Your genetic code will still contain the error that caused your condition in the first place. Luxturna will provide your retina with the instructions to make healthy RPE65 protein but it will not change the underlying fault in your DNA that is present in every cell throughout your body.
We would suggest you speak with your GP or a genetic counsellor if you are thinking of starting a family and would like more information.
Retina UK had been involved throughout the NICE decision-making process and worked hard to ensure its community’s voice was heard. The Retina UK community played a critical role in influencing NICE’s decision.
We were able to present the decision-making committee with a number of findings on the burden of disease from our recent Sight Loss Survey, completed by almost 1,000 of our community.
The committee’s evaluation document specifically quotes our survey’s findings on mental health impact and concludes: ‘The committee acknowledged that RPE65- mediated IRD is a rare, serious and debilitating condition that severely affects the lives of patients, families and carers.’
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Helpline on 0300 111 4000 – calls are charged at a local rate.. Lines are open 9.30am – 9.30pm, Monday to Friday.