[Biodegradable controlled-release 5-FU implant in the surgery for glaucoma. Experimental study].
BACKGROUND
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is useful as an adjunct treatment for glaucoma filtering surgery. However, efficacy depends upon maintaining sustained drug levels, currently achieved by repeated daily injections of the drug for several days. To overcome this limitation, we designed a biodegradable implant for the sustained release of 5-FU.


METHODS
The implant (0.79 mm diameter, 6 mm long, 2.2 mg weight) contains 0.66 mg of 5-FU and is loaded in a needle coupled to a custom-made instrument to permit subconjonctival insertion of the implant through a 2 mm wide snip incision. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetics as well as the biocompatibility studies of the implants were assessed in the rabbit.


RESULTS
No infection, inflammatory reaction or extrusion occurred. The implant released the drug at a constant rate of 1.20 micrograms/hr for over 18 days and totally biodegraded in less than 86 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation of the device, after laser sclerostomy or conventional trabeculectomy shows great potential for the treatment of glaucoma. To determine the implant's efficacy, additional studies in the cat are underway.
Hostyn
P
P
Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Florid
Villain
F
F
Malek-Chehire
N
N
Kühne
F
F
Takesue
Y
Y
Parrish RK
I I
II
Parel
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits
D000963:Antimetabolites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005472:Fluorouracil
Implant biodégradable à libération contrôlée de 5-FU dans la chirurgie du glaucome. Etude expérimentale.