Abstract
Introduction: Ocular targeted therapy has
enormously been advanced by implementation of new methods of drug
delivery and targeting using implantable drug delivery systems (DDSs) or
devices (DDDs), stimuli-responsive advanced biomaterials, multimodal
nanomedicines, cell therapy modalities and medical bioMEMs. These
technologies tackle several ocular diseases such as inflammation-based
diseases (e.g., scleritis, keratitis, uveitis, iritis, conjunctivitis,
chorioretinitis, choroiditis, retinitis, retinochoroiditis), ocular
hypertension and neuropathy, age-related macular degeneration and
mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) due to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans
(GAGs). Such therapies appear to provide ultimate treatments, even
though much more effective, yet biocompatible, noninvasive therapies are
needed to control some disabling ocular diseases/disorders.
Methods: In the current study, we have reviewed and discussed recent advancements on ocular targeted therapies.
Results: On the ground that the
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses of ophthalmic drugs need
special techniques, most of ocular DDSs/devices developments have been
designed to localized therapy within the eye. Application of advanced
DDSs such as Subconjunctival insert/implants (e.g., latanoprost implant,
Gamunex-C), episcleral implant (e.g., LX201), cationic emulsions (e.g.,
Cationorm™, Vekacia™, Cyclokat™), intac/punctal plug DDSs (latanoprost
punctal plug delivery system, L-PPDS), and intravitreal implants
(I-vitaion™, NT-501, NT- 503, MicroPump, Thethadur, IB-20089 Verisome™,
Cortiject, DE-102, Retisert™, Iluvein™ and Ozurdex™) have significantly
improved the treatment of ocular diseases. However, most of these
DDSs/devices are applied invasively and even need surgical procedures.
Of these, use of de novo technologies such as advanced
stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, multimodal nanosystems
(NSs)/nanoconjugates (NCs), biomacromolecualr scaffolds, and
bioengineered cell therapies need to be further advanced to get better
compliance and higher clinical impacts.
Conclusion: Despite mankind successful battle
on ocular diseases, our challenge will continue to battle the ocular
disease that happen with aging. Yet, we need to understand the molecular
aspects of eye diseases in a holistic way and develop ultimate
treatment protocols preferably as non-invasive systems.