OVERVIEW
Gene therapies are emerging as an effective approach for treating a broad spectrum of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) such as retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. The first gene therapy for an inherited retinal disease was FDA-approved in 2017. Today, a few dozen clinical trials are underway for IRD gene therapies. Participants in the course will learn about what a gene therapy is, how gene therapies work, clinical trial goals, and how patients may qualify for clinical trials of emerging gene therapies through genetic testing.
Dr. Yang is an assistant professor in ophthalmic genetics and ocular immunology at the Casey Eye Institute, and is a member of the Oregon Retinal Degeneration Center. He is also a clinical trial investigator and has special interest in cataract surgery, especially pertaining to those patients with inherited retinal degeneration or uveitis. The focus of his research is to better understand the significance of immune-mediated damage secondary to the underlying genetic mutations found in inherited retinal degenerations. With the support of a career development award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness and a K08 from the National Eye Institute, he is currently conducting translational research in an effort to bring new medical treatments to the clinic for patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Dr. Yang received his undergraduate degrees in bioengineering and biochemistry at the University of Washington in Seattle, during which he was awarded multiple summer research grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, as well as the Mary Gates Endowment for Students. He received doctorates in medicine and neurophysiology at Dartmouth Medical School, which was funded by an individual M.D./Ph.D. pre-doctoral national research service award from the National Institutes of Health. He completed an internship in internal medicine at the University of Utah, and residency and fellowship in ophthalmology at the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City.
CLICK HERE to learn about Dr. Yang
GOAL STATEMENT
Most eye care professionals outside of academic research centers aren’t aware of the advancements in gene therapy (i.e., clinical trials) that might benefit patients with inherited retinal diseases. The goal is to help these eye care professionals to understand how gene therapy works, the benefits and opportunities with clinical trials, and genetic testing for patients to help them potentially qualify for clinical trials for gene therapy.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The continuing education course will enable eye care professionals to: [LIST] [ITEM]Describe gene therapy approaches to IRD patients [ITEM]Order genetic testing for IRD patients [ITEM]Discuss clinical trials for emerging gene therapies [ITEM]Identify patients potentially eligible for gene therapy and related clinical trials [/LIST]
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Foundation Fighting Blindness. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (APCE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. [JALOGO]
[bold]Physician Credit[/bold] Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 [bold]AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™[/bold]. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. [bold]COPE Credit[/bold] The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by COPE to provide continuing education to optometrists
About the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Established in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised more than $856 million toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and Stargardt disease. Visit FightingBlindness.org for more information.