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Yu C, Xu J, Heidari G, Jiang H, Shi Y, Wu A, Makvandi P, Neisiany RE, Zare EN, Shao M, Hu L. Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers for the treatment of ocular diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:132086. [PMID: 38705321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers, fabricated utilizing diverse chemical and physical methodologies, exhibit exceptional physical, chemical, and biological properties. They have multifaceted applications encompassing wound healing, tissue regeneration, and across diverse scientific realms. This review critically evaluates their largely uncharted potential in ophthalmology, elucidating their diverse applications across an array of ocular diseases. These conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disorders (spanning from age-related degeneration to trauma, infections, and underlying chronic illnesses), retina-associated ailments (such as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)), eyelid abnormalities, and uveal melanoma (UM). This study provides a thorough analysis of applications of injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers across these ocular disorders. Injectable hydrogels based on biopolymers can be customized to have specific physical, chemical, and biological properties that make them suitable as drug delivery vehicles, tissue scaffolds, and sealants in the eye. For example, they can be engineered to have optimum viscosity to be injected intravitreally and sustain drug release to treat retinal diseases. Their porous structure and biocompatibility promote cellular infiltration to regenerate diseased corneal tissue. By accentuating their indispensable role in ocular disease treatment, this review strives to present innovative and targeted approaches in this domain, thereby advancing ocular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyu Yu
- Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China; School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiahao Xu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Golnaz Heidari
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Huijun Jiang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yifeng Shi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Aimin Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, China; Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh 174103, India; Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Rasoul Esmaeely Neisiany
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Department of Polymer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar 9617976487, Iran
| | - Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare
- School of Chemistry, Damghan University, Damghan 36716-45667, Iran; Centre of Research Impact and Outreach, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140417, Punjab, India.
| | - Minmin Shao
- Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China.
| | - Liang Hu
- Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China; National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
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Hristodorov D, Lohoff T, Luneborg N, Mulder GJ, Clark SJ. Investing in vision: Innovation in retinal therapeutics and the influence on venture capital investment. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101243. [PMID: 38218527 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Since the groundbreaking approval of the first anti-VEGF therapy in 2004, the retinal therapeutics field has undergone a remarkable transformation, witnessing a surge in novel, disease-modifying therapeutics for a broad spectrum of retinal diseases, extending beyond exudative VEGF-driven conditions. The surge in scientific advancement and the pressing, unmet, medical need have captured the attention of venture capital investors, who have collectively invested close to $10 billion in research and development of new retinal therapeutics between 2004 and 2023. Notably, the field of exudative diseases has gradually shifted away from trying to outcompete anti-VEGF therapeutics towards lowering the overall treatment burden by reducing injection frequency. Simultaneously, a new era has emerged in the non-exudative field, targeting prevalent conditions like dry AMD and rare indications such as Retinitis pigmentosa. This has led to promising drug candidates in development, culminating in the landmark approval of Luxturna for a rare form of Retinitis pigmentosa. The validation of new mechanisms, such as the complement pathway in dry AMD has paved the way for the approvals of Syvovre (Apellis) and Izervay (Iveric/Astellas), marking the first two therapies for this condition. In this comprehensive review, we share our view on the cumulative lessons from the past two decades in developing retinal therapeutics, covering both positive achievements and challenges. We also contextualize the investments, strategic partnering deals, and acquisitions of biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies venture capital investors in retinal therapeutics, respectively. Finally, we provide an outlook and potentially a forward-looking roadmap on novel retinal therapeutics, highlighting the emergence of potential new intervention strategies, such as cell-based therapies, gene editing, and combination therapies. We conclude that upcoming developments have the potential to further stimulate venture capital investments, which ultimately could facilitate the development and delivery of new therapies to patients in need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Simon J Clark
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; University Eye Clinic, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Whalen M, Akula M, McNamee SM, DeAngelis MM, Haider NB. Seeing the Future: A Review of Ocular Therapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:179. [PMID: 38391665 PMCID: PMC10886198 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ocular diseases present a unique challenge and opportunity for therapeutic development. The eye has distinct advantages as a therapy target given its accessibility, compartmentalization, immune privilege, and size. Various methodologies for therapeutic delivery in ocular diseases are under investigation that impact long-term efficacy, toxicity, invasiveness, and delivery range. While gene, cell, and antibody therapy and nanoparticle delivery directly treat regions that have been damaged by disease, they can be limited in the duration of the therapeutic delivery and have a focal effect. In contrast, contact lenses and ocular implants can more effectively achieve sustained and widespread delivery of therapies; however, they can increase dilution of therapeutics, which may result in reduced effectiveness. Current therapies either offer a sustained release or a broad therapeutic effect, and future directions should aim toward achieving both. This review discusses current ocular therapy delivery systems and their applications, mechanisms for delivering therapeutic products to ocular tissues, advantages and challenges associated with each delivery system, current approved therapies, and clinical trials. Future directions for the improvement in existing ocular therapies include combination therapies, such as combined cell and gene therapies, as well as AI-driven devices, such as cortical implants that directly transmit visual information to the cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiya Whalen
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | | | | | - Margaret M DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Neena B Haider
- Shifa Precision, Boston, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02138, USA
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Layús BI, Gómez MA, Cazorla SI, Rodriguez AV. A Postbiotic Formulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 759 Attenuates Endotoxin Induced Uveitis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38335476 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2024.2310173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of a cell-free supernatant from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 759, in phosphate buffer modified according to Sorensen called POF-759. METHODS The activity of POF-759 administered by means of eye drops was evaluated on animals subcutaneously injected with the lipopolysaccharide animals in which uveitis was induced by a subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (EIU). Clinical signs of ocular inflammation, cytokines and proteins were examined in the aqueous humor. Additionally, cellular infiltration was evaluated by histopathological analysis. RESULTS The new postbiotic administered locally decreases signs of ocular damage, the number of infiltrating cells in the anterior and posterior chambers, the proinflammatory mediators and the proteins in the aqueous humor on mice with EIU. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide an impetus to relieve ocular inflammation and to identify and develop preventive and therapeutic approaches, to avoid deterioration and to maintain healthy eyes on inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Ivana Layús
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - María Alejandra Gómez
- Servicio de Oftalomolgía, Hospital Ángel C. Padilla, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvia Inés Cazorla
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Ana Virginia Rodriguez
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
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Biswas A, Choudhury AD, Agrawal S, Bisen AC, Sanap SN, Verma SK, Kumar M, Mishra A, Kumar S, Chauhan M, Bhatta RS. Recent Insights into the Etiopathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy and Its Management. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2024; 40:13-33. [PMID: 37733327 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2023.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular retinal disease associated with chronic diabetes mellitus, characterized by the damage of blood vessels in the eye. It is projected to become the leading cause of blindness, given the increasing burden of the diabetic population worldwide. The diagnosis and management of DR pose significant challenges for physicians because of the involvement of multiple biochemical pathways and the complexity of ocular tissues. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of DR, including the polyo pathway, hexosamine pathway, protein kinase C (PKC), JAK/STAT signaling pathways, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Methods: Academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science was systematically searched using a carefully constructed search strategy incorporating keywords like "Diabetic Retinopathy," "Molecular Pathways," "Pharmacological Treatments," and "Clinical Trials" to identify relevant literature for the comprehensive review. Results: In addition to activating other inflammatory cascades, these pathways contribute to the generation of oxidative stress within the retina. Furthermore, it aims to explore the existing pharmacotherapy options available for the treatment of DR. In addition to conventional pharmacological therapies such as corticosteroids, antivascular endothelial growth factors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), this review highlights the potential of repurposed drugs, phyto-pharmaceuticals, and novel pipeline drugs currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials. Conclusion: Overall, this review serves as a technical exploration of the complex nature of DR, highlighting both established and emerging molecular pathways implicated in its pathogenesis. Furthermore, it delves into the available pharmacological treatments, as well as the promising repurposed drugs, phyto-pharmaceuticals, and novel drugs currently being evaluated in clinical trials, with a focus on their specific mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpon Biswas
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhijit Deb Choudhury
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sristi Agrawal
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Amol Chhatrapati Bisen
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Sachin Nashik Sanap
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarvesh Kumar Verma
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Mishra
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Shivansh Kumar
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Mridula Chauhan
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Rabi Sankar Bhatta
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetic Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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Rathi S, Hasan R, Ueffing M, Clark SJ. Therapeutic targeting of the complement system in ocular disease. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103757. [PMID: 37657753 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is involved in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases, providing a rationale for the investigation of complement-targeting therapeutics for these conditions. Dry age-related macular degeneration, as characterised by geographic atrophy (GA), is currently the most active area of research for complement-targeting therapeutics, with a complement C3 inhibitor approved in the United States earlier this year marking the first approved therapy for GA. This review discusses the role of complement in ocular disease, provides an overview of the complement-targeting agents currently under development for ocular conditions, and reflects on the lessons that can be learned from the preclinical investigations and clinical trials conducted in this field to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Rathi
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Simon J Clark
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; University Eye Clinic, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Driban M, Kedia N, Arora S, Chhablani J. Novel pharmaceuticals for the management of retinal vein occlusion and linked disorders. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2023; 16:1125-1139. [PMID: 37933706 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2277882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second leading cause of blindness from retinal vascular disease behind diabetic retinopathy. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucocorticoid therapy are the cornerstones of pharmaceutical treatment for RVO. There is considerable interest in developing new pharmaceuticals in and out of these two classes to reduce costs, lower injection burden, and treat the occlusion itself, rather than the complications. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss novel pharmaceuticals for the treatment of RVO outside of current standard of care. We performed a comprehensive literature search encompassing pharmaceuticals that have recently been approved or have shown promising results in early clinical trials or animal models. EXPERT OPINION Anti-VEGF therapy remains the most efficacious treatment for RVO with a very favorable side effect profile. New biosimilars reduce costs while maintaining efficacy. Novel glucocorticoids may be a useful therapy in patients for whom anti-VEGF therapy has failed, or as an adjunct. Pharmaceuticals in other drug classes, particularly those with neuroprotective or regenerative properties, as well as those geared toward treating the occlusion itself, represent exciting options for early RVO therapy, but are likely years away from clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Driban
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nikita Kedia
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Supriya Arora
- Bahamas Vision Center and Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
| | - Jay Chhablani
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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