Abstract
We developed and tested ocular inserts containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) for a causal treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The inserts, consisting of different alginates with hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) as a lubricant and release modifier, released EGF over time periods ranging from a few hours up to several days. The stability of EGF was high, having a protein half-life of approximately 548 days. A clinical pilot study suggests an amelioration of both the main symptoms and the objective criteria: tear film break-up (BUT) time and lissamine green score. Our results show that EGF treatment of KCS is highly promising.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Alginates / administration & dosage
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Alginates / chemistry*
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Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Cross-Linking Reagents
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Delayed-Action Preparations
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Drug Implants
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Epidermal Growth Factor / administration & dosage*
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Epidermal Growth Factor / analysis
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Epidermal Growth Factor / therapeutic use*
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Excipients
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Female
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Glucuronic Acid / administration & dosage
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Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
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Hexuronic Acids / administration & dosage
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Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
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Humans
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Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / drug therapy*
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Male
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Spectrometry, Fluorescence
Substances
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Alginates
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Cross-Linking Reagents
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Delayed-Action Preparations
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Drug Implants
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Excipients
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Hexuronic Acids
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Epidermal Growth Factor
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Glucuronic Acid