Diabetic Retinal Disease Cure Accelerator: Modernizing Staging and Endpoints

Konstantina Sampani; Ward Fickweiler; Dorene S Markel; Latrice Faulkner; Stela Vujosevic; Tunde Peto; Olivia Meyerhoffer; Malvina Eydelman; S Robert Levine; Jennifer K Sun; Thomas W Gardner; Michael D Abramoff

doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2026.101485

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Diabetic Retinal Disease Cure Accelerator: Modernizing Staging and Endpoints

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Diabetic Retinal Disease Cure Accelerator: Modernizing Staging and Endpoints

Konstantina Sampani, Ward Fickweiler, Dorene S Markel, Latrice Faulkner, Stela Vujosevic, Tunde Peto, Olivia Meyerhoffer, Malvina Eydelman, S Robert Levine, Jennifer K Sun, …

Progress in retinal and eye research, Vol.113, 101485

07/2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2026.101485

PMID: 42173402

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Abstract

The "Diabetic Retinal Disease (DRD) Cure Accelerator," a joint initiative by the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative and the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation, aims to modernize clinically meaningful staging systems and endpoints for DRD. During a June 2025 workshop involving over 100 international experts, participants emphasized the urgent need for validated structural and functional endpoints grounded in the retinal neurovascular unit. Current DRD staging limitations were highlighted alongside the importance of early biomarkers, including retinal nonperfusion, inner retinal thinning, and disorganization of retinal layers. Functional priorities included contrast sensitivity, electrophysiology, and performance-based mobility parameters that reflect real-world visual impairment. Beyond clinical staging, this approach facilitates precision phenotyping to isolate specific molecular pathogenic pathways driving disease in individual patients. Mechanistic granularity provides a foundation for discovery science, enabling targeted drug re-purposing and the development of curative therapeutics. Key next steps include prospective multicenter studies, harmonized protocols, and reference standards and endpoints for AI based on patient relevant outcomes. By integrating scientific, clinical, and patient-centered perspectives, this Accelerator seeks to establish an international consensus on robust endpoints. Ultimately, this precision-based approach aims to transform DRD diagnosis and treatment, accelerating the access of patients worldwide to therapies that reduce diabetes-related vision loss.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Diabetic Retinal Disease Cure Accelerator: Modernizing Staging and Endpoints
Creators: Konstantina Sampani - Joslin Diabetes Center
Ward Fickweiler - Joslin Diabetes Center
Dorene S Markel
Latrice Faulkner
Stela Vujosevic - University of Milan
Tunde Peto - Queen's University Belfast
Olivia Meyerhoffer - Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany)
Malvina Eydelman - Collaborative Research Group
S Robert Levine
Jennifer K Sun - Joslin Diabetes Center
Thomas W Gardner - University of Michigan
Michael D Abramoff - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Progress in retinal and eye research, Vol.113, 101485
DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2026.101485
PMID: 42173402
NLM abbreviation: Prog Retin Eye Res
ISSN: 1873-1635
eISSN: 1873-1635
Publisher: Elsevier
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 05/21/2026
Date published: 07/2026
Academic Unit: Electrical and Computer Engineering; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9985164572202771

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