Drug Delivery Implants in the Treatment of Vitreous Inflammation

Abstract

The eye is a model organ for the local delivery of therapeutics. This proves beneficial when treating vitreous inflammation and other ophthalmic pathologies. The chronicity of certain diseases, however, limits the effectiveness of locally administered drugs. To maintain such treatments often requires frequent office visits and can result in increased risk of infection and toxicity to the patient. This paper focuses on the implantable devices and particulate drug delivery systems that are currently being implemented and investigated to overcome these challenges. Implants currently on the market or undergoing clinical trials include those made of nonbiodegradable polymers, containing ganciclovir, fluocinolone acetonide, triamcinolone acetonide, and ranibizumab, and biodegradable polymers, containing dexamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide, and ranibizumab. Investigational intravitreal implants and particulate drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, microparticles, and liposomes, are also explored in this review article.

Ocular delivery of proteins and peptides: Challenges and novel formulation approaches

“…A similar formulation has been evaluated for the delivery of brominidine tartrate in clinical trials (NCT02087085). Surodex (Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Sunnyvale, CA) and Verisome (Icon Biosciences Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) are a few other biodegradable implants that are currently undergoing clinical trials [204]. To date no ophthalmic biodegradable implant for biopharmaceutical drugs has been approved.…”

Controlled Drug Release Systems: Mechanisms and Kinetics

“…Ocusert ® (Alza Corp.), introduced in the 1970s, is a reservoir system of ethylene-vinyl acetate membrane inserted in the cul de sac of the eye and releasing pilocarpine to the tear fluid for a week, at a constant rate. Long-term drug delivery implants are an alternative to repeated injections or systemic administration in order to treat disorders of the posterior segment of the eye (Table 1.1) [Wang et al, 2013]. · Drug eluting stents.…”

Recent perspectives on the delivery of biologics to back of the eye

“…Commercially available implants include Vitrasert, Retisert, Ozurdex and Iluvien [102]. Most of these implants are confined to small molecule drugs.…”

“…ganciclovir, fluocinolone acetonide, triamcinolone acetonide, and ranibizumab. Moreover, biodegradable polymers, containing dexamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide, and ranibizumab have also been developed [102]. …”