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Thng ZX, Regenold J, Bromeo AJ, Akhavanrezayat A, Than NTT, Khatri A, Mohammadi SS, Tran ANT, Shin YU, Karaca I, Ghoraba HH, Or CCM, Nguyen QD. Challenges for further successful development of tumor necrosis factor targeting therapies for uveitis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:95-104. [PMID: 38299551 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2311186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uveitis is a heterogeneous group of ocular conditions characterized by inflammation of the uveal tract and is one of the leading causes of vision impairment. In developed countries, noninfectious uveitis (NIU) represents most cases and is challenging to treat due to its severity, chronicity, and high recurrence rates. The advent of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) agents have dramatically improved outcomes and changed treatment paradigms in NIU. AREAS COVERED The index article summarizes the present experience of anti-TNF-α agents in NIU pharmacotherapy and highlights the barriers to further research and development of anti-TNF-α agents for uveitis. Common challenges faced in NIU clinical drugs trials, specific difficulties in anti-TNF-α drug development, and promising competitor drug candidates are discussed and evaluated. EXPERT OPINION Anti-TNF-α agents have revolutionized NIU pharmacotherapy and greatly improved outcomes with good safety profiles. The great success of systemic infliximab and adalimumab in NIU treatment has resulted in little impetus for further development of this class of medication. Attempts have been made to deliver anti-TNF-α agents intravitreally but that has not been successful thus far. With expiring patents, competition from biosimilars and newer, novel molecules, it may not be viable to continue pursuing anti-TNF-α drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Xian Thng
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Regenold
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Albert John Bromeo
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Asian Eye Institute, Makati, Philippines
| | | | - Ngoc T T Than
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Anadi Khatri
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Birat Aankha Aspatal, Biratnagar, Nepal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | | | - Anh N T Tran
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yong Un Shin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea
| | - Irmak Karaca
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Hasan N, Chawla R, Shaikh N, Kandasamy S, Azad SV, Sundar MD. A comprehensive review of intravitreal immunosuppressants and biologicals used in ophthalmology. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2022; 14:25158414221097418. [PMID: 35602659 PMCID: PMC9121505 DOI: 10.1177/25158414221097418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic immunosuppressants and biologicals have been a valuable tool in the
treatment of inflammatory diseases and malignancies. The safety profile of these
drugs has been debatable, especially in localized systems, such as the eye. This
has led to the search for fairly local approaches, such as intravitreal,
subconjunctival, and topical route of administration. Immunosuppressants have
been used as a second-line drug in patients intolerable to corticosteroids or
those who develop multiple recurrences on weaning corticosteroids. Similarly,
biologicals have also been used as the next line of therapy, when adequate
control of inflammation could not be attained or immunosuppressants were
contraindicated to patients. Intravitreal immunosuppressants, such as
methotrexate and sirolimus, have been extensively studied in noninfectious
posterior uveitis, whereas limited studies have established the efficacy of
intravitreal biologicals, such as infliximab and adalimumab. Most of these drugs
have shown good safety profile and tolerability in animal studies alone and have
not been studied further in human subjects. However, most of the studies in
literature are single-case reports or case series which limits the level of
evidence. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the mechanism of action,
pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, indications, efficacy, and side effects of
different intravitreal immunosuppressants and biologicals that have been studied
in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasiq Hasan
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rohan Chawla
- Associate Professor, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Nawazish Shaikh
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - M. Dheepak Sundar
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
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