Phase II trial to study DME

New York-The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is enrolling patients in a study to test the long-term safety and effectiveness of intraocular injections of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME)

The Ranibizumab for Edema of the Macula in Diabetes phase II (READ 2) study, supported by Genentech and JDRF, builds on the results of the foundation's phase I trial. In that trial, ranibizumab was shown to improve visual acuity in patients with DME, with no adverse events related to the drug. Median and mean visual acuity improved by 11 and 12.3 letters respectively at 7 months.

READ 2 will look at additional dosing and safety information, as well as combination therapy of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation.