Sriwijaya Journal of Ophthalmology
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): Sriwijaya Journal of Ophthalmology

Safety and Efficacy of Subretinal AAV-CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing for Rhodopsin-Mutant Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Phase I/IIa Dose-Escalation Triall

Khairiel Anwar (Department of Biomolecular Science, CMHC Research Center, Palembang, Indonesia)
Sony Sanjaya (Department of Medical Biology, CMHC Research Center, Palembang, Indonesia)
Rizky Ayu (Department of Drugs Safety and Effectivity, CMHC Research Center, Palembang, Indonesia)
Fachruddin Sani (Ophthalmologist, ANC Medical Center, Jakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) from rhodopsin (RHO) mutations lacks an approved gene therapy. This Phase I/IIa trial evaluated subretinal AAV5-CRISPR/Cas9 for RHO-adRP. Methods: An open-label, 3+3 dose-escalation design with expansion at the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) was used. Eighteen patients (18 study eyes; one eye per patient) received subretinal AAV5-CRISPR/Cas9 at low (1.5×1010 vg, n = 3), mid (5.0×1010 vg, n = 3), or high (1.5×1011 vg, n = 6) doses, plus an expansion cohort (n = 6) at RP2D, at a private hospital in Palembang, Indonesia. The primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs); secondary endpoints were BCVA (LogMAR), SD-OCT ellipsoid zone (EZ) width, microperimetry, and ffERG. Results: No DLTs occurred. The high-dose cohort showed a BCVA improvement of −0.14 LogMAR (95% CI −0.22 to −0.06, p = 0.003; Cohen d = 1.82), an EZ width increase of +312 µm (95% CI +187 to +437, p < 0.001; d = 2.45), and a microperimetry gain of +3.8 dB (95% CI +2.1 to +5.5, p < 0.001; d = 1.94). Dose-response trends were significant (Jonckheere–Terpstra p-trend: BCVA 0.008, EZ 0.002). Conclusion: Subretinal AAV5-CRISPR/Cas9 demonstrated acceptable safety with dose-dependent structural and functional improvements at 12 months. Phase II/III trials are warranted.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sjo

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Sriwijaya Journal of Opthalmology (SJO) is a peer-reviewed, scientific publication that welcomes the submission of original, previously unpublished manuscripts directed to ophthalmologists and visual science specialists describing clinical investigations, clinical observations, and clinically ...