Gene therapy helps bring light to dogs who are born blind

A group of French researchers succeeded in giving light to dogs suffering from congenital blindness of Leber, a genetic disease that causes retinal degeneration.

Researchers at CHU Center Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Nantes tested gene therapy to treat blindness for dogs. 7 out of 8 treated animals are visible. Only one of the children tested after 30 months of age did not find the light again, probably because the disease has developed badly.

Tests in the retina were made and the dogs were given some obstacles to identify the results. They were given the first injections of the eye 18 months ago, and the results were checked every 3 months. So far, everything has gone well.

Researchers are currently preparing to conduct clinical trials in humans.

Leber congenital blindness is a form of retinitis pigmentosa that causes severe vision loss at birth or at a very young age. There is currently no way to cure this genetic disease.

Many mutations in different genes can cause Leber congenital blindness. So far, researchers have identified eight genes, including RPE65, which is currently being tested in the therapy.