title: Matrix Regeneration Therapy: A Case Series of Corneal Neurotrophic Ulcers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Treating corneal neurotrophic ulcers is challenging. Topical application of matrix regeneration therapy (RGTA), which is a dextran derivative polymer and heparan sulfate analog, is a promising regenerative therapy and an alternative or additional therapeutic regimen when corneal healing is compromised. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of RGTA (Cacicol) in the treatment of 6 patients with severe neurotrophic ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present an uncontrolled prospective case series of 6 patients (6 eyes) with severe corneal neurotrophic ulcers. Patients were treated with topical RGTA at a dose of 1 drop every second day. The main outcome measure was complete corneal epithelialization. We measured corneal thickness by anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients (33%) showed complete corneal healing, one at 6 weeks and the other at 10 weeks. Treatment was considered failure in 4 patients (67%), and 1 patient had corneal perforation. None of the patients showed improvement in best-corrected visual acuity. There were no RGTA-related local or systemic side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on previous studies, RGTA seems to be a promising therapeutic agent for controlling ocular surface inflammation and promoting corneal healing. In this study, the efficacy of RGTA did not match the encouraging results from previous reports.
authors: *Helsinki Eye Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; and †Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Riku P J
authors: RP
authors: Arvola
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Robciuc
authors: Juha M
authors: JM
authors: Holopainen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C533322:OTR4120; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions