Title:Therapies in Development for Non-Infectious Uveitis
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 6
Author(s):M.A. Sadiq, A. Agarwal, M. Hassan, R. Afridi, S. Sarwar, M.K. Soliman, D.V. Do and Q.D. Nguyen
Affiliation:Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985540 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5540, USA.
Keywords:Drug-delivery systems, immunomodulatory therapy, non-infectious, treatment, uveitis.
Abstract:Uveitis represents a spectrum of diseases characterized by ocular
inflammation that leads to significant visual loss if left untreated. Adequate,
long-term control of inflammation with minimal systemic and local adverse
effects is the preferred strategy for treating patients with uveitis.
Pharmacotherapy for uveitis consists mainly of corticosteroids in various
formulations such as topical, local, intraocular and systemic. However,
monotherapy with corticosteroids is often unacceptable due to serious adverse effects on various organ
systems. There exist limitations with the use of steroid-sparing systemic immunosuppressive agents, as these
medications may have significant adverse events and a narrow therapeutic window. Thus, newer molecular
targets that act on various steps of the inflammatory pathway appear to be promising emerging strategies for
treating uveitis. Specially designed monoclonal antibodies in development can potentially halt the inflammatory
processes resulting in remission of the disease. In the index review, novel molecular agents and biological
therapies that have shown promising efficacy and safety data in preclinical and clinical studies have been
summarized. In addition, new drug delivery systems that may ensure high intraocular therapeutic levels of
pharmacologic agents have been highlighted.
