Gene therapy fails to improve vision in advanced retinitis pigmentosa trial

NCT ID NCT02556736

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed Phase 1/2a trial tested a gene therapy called RST-001 (AGN-151597) in 14 people with advanced retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that causes severe vision loss. All participants had very poor vision (hand motion or worse) at the start. The study aimed to check safety and tolerability, but the treatment did not show any improvement in vision. No serious related side effects were reported, but the lack of efficacy means this approach did not help these patients.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

AGN-151597 (gene therapy)

What this could lead to

If it had worked, this gene therapy could have pointed toward a treatment to slow vision loss in retinitis pigmentosa.

What could go wrong

The trial did not show improvement in vision. It was very early-stage (Phase 1/2a) with only 14 participants, all with severe vision loss, so results may not apply to others.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

retinitis pigmentosa

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cincinnati Eye Institute- Edgewood /ID# 236713

    Edgewood, Kentucky, 41017-3415, United States

  • Duke Eye Center /ID# 235715

    Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States

  • Retina Foundation of the Southwest /ID# 235199

    Dallas, Texas, 75231, United States

  • University of California San Francisco - Mission Bay /ID# 235717

    San Francisco, California, 94158, United States