Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy – current status of idebenone and gene replacement therapies

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common mitochondrial disease, and was the first to be linked to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations. Recently, autosomal recessive forms of LHON were described in addition to the classical mtDNA-associated forms. Clinically, LHON manifests with subacute and painless loss of central visual acuity, in most cases starting unilaterally, and involving the second eye a few weeks later. Almost all LHON cases are caused by pathogenic variants in genes that code for proteins relevant for function of Complex I of the respiratory chain. The Complex I dysfunction in LHON leads to decreased ATP synthesis and to increased production of reactive oxygen species which ultimately initiates dysfunction and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, the optic nerve. Idebenone, a synthetic CoQ derivative, is a potent intramitochondrial antioxidant and can shuttle electrons directly to complex III of the respiratory chain, thereby bypassing complex I deficiency. On the basis of several clinical trials, it has been approved as a treatment for LHON in 2015 (in the EU). In addition, direct intravitreal gene replacement therapy is being investigated, with several late-stage clinical trials already completed. In the future, gene editing of mtDNA variants may also become a therapeutic option.