Controlled drug delivery systems as adjunctive treatment in Glaucoma surgery

• Grant number: 22/16299-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Jayter Silva de Paula
• Grantee: Jayter Silva de Paula
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez

Abstract

New pharmacological technologies attempt to overcome the problems of bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy observed with the topical treatment of ocular diseases. Drug delivery systems are a versatile and effective alternative, as they offer numerous advantages, such as increasing the drug's local residence time, reducing side effects, and possible use as drug delivery scaffolds, particularly in surgical sites. Trabeculectomy (TRAB), an antiglaucoma surgery, is an interesting model for testing since both the inflammation and the excessive scarring lead to frequent surgical failure, despite all topical treatments available. Thus, our objective is to develop and study the adjunctive effects of the controlled-release corticoid implants on the surgical success of experimental TRAB. A comparison of macroscopic and histological findings (with immunohistochemical assays) will be performed in rabbits' eyes submitted to experimental TRAB, with or without corticoid implants. Neutrophil migration, collagen deposition, and expression of factors related to inflammation and tissue scarring will be analyzed. Thus, the hypothesis of improvement in the glaucoma surgery results with corticoid implants may be proved. Our aim is to conclude this innovative proof-of-concept approach, involving the use of polymers that release modulators of ocular inflammation and healing processes, with potential application in clinical practice. Additionally, it will enable the production of scientific data for a patent deposit, dissemination through presentations at scientific congresses, and, opportunely, publication in a journal with high international indexation involving undergraduate and graduate students. (AU)