Fenofibrate for Diabetic Retinopathy

(Protocol AF Trial)

Recruiting at 66 trial locations

Overseen By Adam R Glassman, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: Jaeb Center for Health Research

Must not be taking: Anti-VEGF, Corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Decreased renal function, CI-DME, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 years

560 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how well the drug fenofibrate (also known as Tricor, Lofibra, Fenoglide, Lipofen, or Triglide) prevents the worsening of diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition caused by diabetes. Researchers aim to determine if fenofibrate can halt the progression of this eye disease to a more serious stage. The study also investigates whether eye doctors and primary care doctors can collaborate to ensure the drug's safe use. Individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have mild to moderately severe diabetic retinopathy in at least one eye, but no current swelling in the center of the retina, may be suitable for this trial. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants a chance to contribute to a potentially groundbreaking treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that fenofibrate is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that fenofibrate is safe and effective in treating diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition in people with diabetes. Earlier studies found that patients generally tolerated fenofibrate well. For instance, one study found that over four years, participants taking fenofibrate experienced a 27% slower progression of their eye disease compared to those on a placebo.

Another study discovered that fenofibrate reduced the need for laser treatment in diabetic retinopathy patients by 31%. These findings suggest that fenofibrate can safely slow the worsening of diabetic retinopathy. Overall, fenofibrate, a cholesterol-lowering drug, may also help protect eye health in people with diabetes without major safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for diabetic retinopathy?

Fenofibrate is unique because it targets diabetic retinopathy by addressing lipid metabolism, which is not the main focus of most standard treatments like laser therapy or anti-VEGF injections. While standard treatments primarily aim to reduce retinal swelling and prevent vision loss, fenofibrate works by lowering lipid levels, potentially reducing inflammation and vascular damage in the eyes. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it could offer a new and complementary mechanism of action, potentially improving outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

What evidence suggests that fenofibrate might be an effective treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

Studies have shown that fenofibrate, which participants in this trial may receive, can slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common eye problem in people with diabetes. Research indicates that fenofibrate reduces the risk of DR worsening by 27% compared to a placebo. This benefit appears even in individuals with normal cholesterol levels, making it a promising option for many. Two important clinical trials confirmed that fenofibrate helps slow DR progression. These findings suggest fenofibrate could effectively prevent serious eye issues caused by diabetes. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Emily Y Chew, MD

Principal Investigator

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults aged 18-79 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and mild to moderately severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in at least one eye can join. They must have good vision (20/32 or better) and no current diabetic macular edema (DME). Those with previous treatments for DME or DR, except certain lasers, poor kidney function, or recent anti-VEGF/corticosteroid eye injections cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

My non-study eye has minor blood vessel damage.

Your eyesight with glasses or contacts is at least 20/32 or better, unless there are specific eye conditions that might affect your vision.

I have diabetes.

Exclusion Criteria

My kidney function is normal or only mildly reduced, not requiring dialysis.

You have a specific eye condition called CI-DME, based on an eye exam or OCT scan with certain measurements for CST.

I haven't had eye injections for any condition in the last year.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive fenofibrate or placebo to evaluate the prevention of diabetic retinopathy worsening

6 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Fenofibrate
• Placebo

Trial Overview The trial is testing if fenofibrate can prevent the worsening of diabetic retinopathy over four years compared to a placebo. It's randomized, meaning participants are put into the fenofibrate or placebo group by chance. The study also explores how doctors might safely prescribe this treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Fenofibrate 160-mg Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Fenofibrate is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Fenofibrate for:

• High cholesterol
• Severe high triglycerides

Approved in European Union as Fenofibrate for:

• Mixed hyperlipidemia
• Primary hypercholesterolemia
• Severe hypertriglyceridemia

Approved in Canada as Fenofibrate for:

• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Jaeb Center for Health Research

Lead Sponsor

Trials

162

Recruited

36,200+

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

237

Recruited

142,000+

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Collaborator

Trials

69

Recruited

101,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Roche Pharma AG

Industry Sponsor

Trials

413

Recruited

430,000+

Dr. Thomas Schinecker

Roche Pharma AG

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

PhD in Molecular Biology from New York University

Dr. Levi Garraway

Roche Pharma AG

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD from University of California, San Francisco

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Collaborator

Trials

572

Recruited

1,320,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Fenofibrate likely has little to no effect on the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with type 2 diabetes, based on a systematic review of two studies involving 15,313 participants over four to five years.

However, in individuals with overt retinopathy, fenofibrate may significantly slow the progression of DR, although it also increases the risk of serious adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fenofibrate for diabetic retinopathy. Kataoka, SY., Lois, N., Kawano, S., et al.[2023]

Modified lipoproteins can cause injury to the outer blood-retina barrier (BRB), leading to potential complications in early diabetic retinopathy, as demonstrated in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Fenofibric acid, an active metabolite of fenofibrate, was found to protect the outer BRB from damage caused by modified lipoproteins through an AMPK-mediated mechanism, independent of PPARα, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for diabetic retinopathy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Modified Low-Density Lipoproteins and Fenofibrate on an Outer Blood-Retina Barrier Model: Implications for Diabetic Retinopathy. Fu, D., Yu, JY., Connell, AR., et al.[2021]

Tight control of glucose and blood pressure is crucial in managing diabetic retinopathy (DR), significantly reducing the risk of its development and progression.

Fenofibrate treatment has been shown to reduce the need for laser treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) by 31%, and it also decreased the progression of retinopathy by 34% compared to placebo, highlighting its potential as an effective therapy in DR management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fibrates and statins in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Ansquer, JC., Crimet, D., Foucher, C.[2019]

In a study of 32,253 type 2 diabetic patients without previous retinopathy, long-term use of fenofibrate was associated with a 43% reduced risk of developing diabetic retinopathy compared to non-users, indicating its potential efficacy in preventing this condition.

Fenofibrate also significantly decreased the need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, with a 41% lower risk, suggesting it may be an effective intervention for managing complications in diabetic patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Fenofibrate and Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan. Lin, YC., Chen, YC., Horng, JT., et al.[2021]

Fenofibrate significantly reduces the risk of needing laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, as shown in the FIELD study, highlighting its efficacy in managing this condition in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The ACCORD-Eye study demonstrated that combining fenofibrate with statin therapy leads to a notable reduction in the progression of diabetic retinopathy compared to statin therapy alone, reinforcing the effectiveness of fenofibrate in treating this eye disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of fenofibrate in the management of patients with diabetic retinopathy: an evidence-based review. Sharma, N., Ooi, JL., Ong, J., et al.[2016]

Fenofibrate has been shown to effectively reduce the need for laser therapy and prevent disease progression in patients with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy, as demonstrated in the FIELD study with a daily dose of 200 mg.

In the ACCORD Eye study, fenofibrate combined with simvastatin led to a 40% reduction in the odds of retinopathy progression over 4 years, highlighting its potential benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes, independent of blood glucose control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Medical management of diabetic retinopathy: fenofibrate and ACCORD Eye studies. Wright, AD., Dodson, PM.[2022]

Fenofibrate, a safe and affordable medication, has shown significant benefits in reducing the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as demonstrated in large clinical trials like FIELD and ACCORD.

Despite its efficacy in treating DR, fenofibrate is not commonly prescribed for this condition, partly because retinopathy was not the primary focus of the FIELD and ACCORD studies; new trials are being conducted to specifically evaluate its effects on DR.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fenofibrate for Diabetic Retinopathy. Stewart, S., Lois, N.[2022]

In a study of 9795 patients with type 2 diabetes, those treated with fenofibrate had a significantly lower need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy compared to those on placebo (3.4% vs 4.9%), indicating its efficacy in reducing treatment requirements.

While fenofibrate did not significantly affect the overall progression of retinopathy grades, it was particularly effective in preventing worsening in patients with pre-existing retinopathy, showing a notable reduction in 2-step progression compared to placebo (3.1% vs 14.6%).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of fenofibrate on the need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (FIELD study): a randomised controlled trial. Keech, AC., Mitchell, P., Summanen, PA., et al.[2022]

Fenofibrate has been shown to significantly reduce the need for laser treatment in diabetic retinopathy by 31% and slow disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes, based on data from two major trials involving 11,388 participants.

The drug's effectiveness is particularly notable in patients with preexisting retinopathy, and its mechanisms of action include improving lipid metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, and providing neuroprotection, suggesting it could be a valuable adjunctive treatment for early diabetic retinopathy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fenofibrate - a potential systemic treatment for diabetic retinopathy? Wong, TY., Simó, R., Mitchell, P.[2013]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616293/

Effect of Fenofibrate on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy Findings from cardiovascular outcome trials suggest that fenofibrate therapy may reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056872725001886

The use of fenofibrate in diabetic retinopathy The findings in LENS suggest that fenofibrate could be effective at reducing DR progression even in those with normal lipid profiles. Two other smaller ...

3. breakthrought1d.org breakthrought1d.org/grants/united-states/florida/randomized-clinical-trial-evaluating-fenofibrate-for-prevention-of-diabetic-retinopathy-worsening/

Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Fenofibrate for ... Prior clinical studies have shown that fenofibrate can reduce risk of DR worsening in type 2 diabetes patients in a subgroup of participants with mild to ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8323449/

Fenofibrate and Diabetic Retinopathy - PMC Two recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated beneficial effects of systemic fenofibrate therapy in reducing the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03410-9

Fenofibrate therapy in reducing the progression of diabetic ... These results are promising as fenofibrate led to a 27% lower risk of progression of, or treatment for, DR or maculopathy compared with placebo ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11227662/

Fenofibrate and diabetic retinopathy - PMC - PubMed Central This mini-review examines the efficacy and safety profile of fenofibrate and summarizes the outcomes of fenofibrate treatment in the literature.

7. archivesofmedicalscience.com archivesofmedicalscience.com/The-prevention-opportunities-of-retinopathy-in-diabetic-patients-position-paper-endorsed,197331,0,2.html

The prevention opportunities of retinopathy in diabetic ... The ophthalmologic analysis of the FIELD trial showed that fenofibrate significantly reduced the need for laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy by 31% (HR = ...

8. diabetes.org diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/common-cholesterol-lowering-drug-found-slow-vision-loss-diabetes-patients

Common Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Found to Slow Vision ... Over 4 years, participants taking fenofibrate saw a 27% reduction in the progression of their eye disease compared to those taking the placebo ...

9. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-025-01774-z

Fenofibrate and Diabetic Retinopathy The LENS (Lowering Events in Non-Proliferative Retinopathy) trial confirmed unequivocally a positive impact of early fenofibrate use on the risk ...