Finasteride for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

Objective: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a chorioretinal disorder characterized by an accumulation of serous fluid under the retina. Although acute CSC tends to resolve spontaneously on its own with minimal sequelae, chronic CSC tends to persist and lead to irreversible visual loss. The ...

Objective: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a chorioretinal disorder characterized by an accumulation of serous fluid under the retina. Although acute CSC tends to resolve spontaneously on its own with minimal sequelae, chronic CSC tends to persist and lead to irreversible visual loss. The pathogenesis of CSC is complex. However, systemic androgens have been implicated. Finasteride is an anti-androgen medication that is widely used in the treatment of various conditions. A previous study performed at the NEI demonstrated a reduction in the amount of subretinal fluid among participants treated with 5 mg of finasteride. The objective of this study is to further investigate the efficacy of oral finasteride as a treatment for chronic CSC. Study Population: Thirty-eight participants with chronic CSC are eligible. Up to an additional four participants may be enrolled to account for participants who withdraw from the study prior to Month 3. Design: In this Phase II, single-center, placebo-controlled, double-masked, randomized trial, investigational product will be administered to two different groups. Half of the participants will be randomized to 5 mg oral finasteride for the initial three months. The other half of the participants will be randomized to placebo for the first three months. At the end of three months of treatment, all participants may be followed for at least four years and nine months. During this follow-up period, all participants will be able to receive finasteride therapy pro re nata (PRN) if subretinal fluid re-emerges. The PRN phase will last until the last participant completes the five years of follow-up. Other standard care treatments, such as photodynamic therapy, will also be permitted after the primary outcome at three months. Outcome Measures: The primary outcome for regulatory filing is the proportion of participants with an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ? 15 letters at three months compared to baseline in the study eye. The primary outcome for publication of the study results is the proportion of participants with a subretinal fluid volume decrease ? 50% at three months compared to baseline in the study eye. Secondary efficacy outcomes include changes in BCVA, changes in the maximum retinal volume as measured on optical coherence tomography (OCT), changes in central retinal thickness on OCT, changes in leakage as seen on fluorescein angiography (FA), changes in size of existing plaque(s) on indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, changes in autofluorescence patterns seen on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, changes in mean macular sensitivity as assessed by microperimetry, changes in serum levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), as well as changes in urine levels of cortisol during the study period. Safety outcomes include the number and severity of adverse reactions from the investigational product and the number of withdrawals.

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