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Abstract #19156 Published in IGR 3-1
A new poly(ortho ester)-based drug delivery system as an adjunct treatment in filtering surgery
Einmahl S; Behar-Cohen F; D'Hermies F; Rudaz S; Tabatabay C; Renard G; Gurny RInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2001; 42: 695-700
PURPOSE: Pharmacological modulation of wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery remains a major clinical challenge in ophthalmology. Poly(ortho ester) (POE) is a bioerodible and biocompatible viscous polymer potentially useful as a sustained drug delivery system that allows the frequency of intraocular injections to be reduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of POE containing a precise amount of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in an experimental model of filtering surgery in the rabbit. METHODS: Trabeculectomy was performed in pigmented rabbit eyes. An ointmentlike formulation of POE containing 1% wt/wt 5-FU was injected subconjunctivally at the site of surgery, during the procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb persistence, and ocular inflammatory reaction were monitored until postoperative Day 30. Quantitative analysis of 5-FU was performed in the anterior chamber. Histological analysis was used to assess the appearance of the filtering fistula and the polymer's biocompatibility. RESULTS: The decrease in IOP from baseline and the persistence of the filtering bleb were significantly more marked in the 5-FU-treated eyes during postoperative Days 9 through 28. Corneal toxicity triggered by 5-FU was significantly lower in the group that received 5-FU in POE compared with a 5-FU tamponade. Histopathological evaluation showed that POE was well tolerated, and no fibrosis occurred in eyes treated with POE containing 5-FU. CONCLUSIONS: In this rabbit model of trabeculectomy, the formulation based on POE and containing a precise amount of 5-FU reduced IOP and prolonged bleb persistence in a way similar to the conventional method of a 5-FU tamponade, while significantly reducing 5-FU toxicity.
Dr R. Gurny, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
Classification:
11.16 Vehicles, delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, formulation (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
