Alginate inserts loaded with epidermal growth factor for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
We developed and tested ocular inserts containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) for a causal treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The inserts, consisting of different alginates with hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) as a lubricant and release modifier, released EGF over time periods ranging from a few hours up to several days. The stability of EGF was high, having a protein half-life of approximately 548 days. A clinical pilot study suggests an amelioration of both the main symptoms and the objective criteria: tear film break-up (BUT) time and lissamine green score. Our results show that EGF treatment of KCS is highly promising.
Koelwel
Christoph
C
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Germany.
Rothschenk
Stefan
S
Fuchs-Koelwel
Barbara
B
Gabler
Bernhard
B
Lohmann
Chris
C
Gopferich
Achim
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005079:Excipients; D005260:Female; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D000464:Alginates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D005079:Excipients; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D020723:Glucuronic Acid