Creation of a drug-coated glaucoma drainage device using polymer technology: in vitro and in vivo studies.
OBJECTIVE
To create and test a slow-release antifibrotic drug-coated glaucoma drainage device using in vitro and in vivo experiments.


METHODS
A slow-release device incorporating mitomycin C in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) disks was developed using redox-polymerization techniques. A standardized preparation of this drug delivery device was attached to the Ahmed glaucoma valve (model FP7; New World Medical, Inc, Rancho Cucamonga, California). Semicircular disks (5 x 6 mm) of P(HEMA)-mitomycin C containing varying concentrations of mitomycin C per gram dry weight of the gel were attached to the lower half of an Ahmed glaucoma valve plate. Water was pumped through the modified Ahmed glaucoma valve at a rate comparable to that of aqueous humor outflow, and mitomycin C release was measured. Modified and unmodified Ahmed glaucoma valves were implanted in a rabbit model, and drug release and fibrosis were assessed after 3 months.


RESULTS
The P(HEMA)-mitomycin C device released mitomycin C in vitro over 1 to 2 weeks. Studies in rabbits revealed that mitomycin C was released from the disks during the 3-month implantation. Histologic analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory reaction and fibrosis in the resulting blebs.


CONCLUSIONS
Our slow-release drug-coated glaucoma drainage device decreased fibrosis and inflammation in the resulting bleb in a rabbit model.


CONCLUSIONS
This device could reduce the failure rate of glaucoma drainage devices.
Faculty of Science, Chemistry Department, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioglu Campus, Canakkale, Turkey.
Nurettin
N
Sahiner
Daniel J
DJ
Kravitz
Rabah
R
Qadir
Diane A
DA
Blake
Salima
S
Haque
Vijay T
VT
John
Curtis E
CE
Margo
Ramesh S
RS
Ayyala
D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D016685:Mitomycin