February 08, 2012

NEW TOPICAL EYE DROP FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR DEGENERATION

Pazopanib, an investigational topical therapy for macular degeneration, shows positive beneficial results in clinical studies, Says Dr. Ilan Cohen, a New York City Ophthalmologist.

(PRWEB) April 5, 2010 -- Pazopanib, an investigational topical therapy for macular degeneration, shows positive beneficial results in clinical studies, Says Dr. Ilan Cohen, a New York City Ophthalmologist.

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of legal blindness in Caucasians. This disease effects the center of the patients’ retina called the “Macula” and can cause legal blindness.

Dr. Cohen explains: There are currently two drugs available for the treatment of Macular Degeneration: Lucentis, and Avastin. These drugs have been found effective both in preventing the progression of the disease and in improving overall visual acuity; however, both of these medications need to be injected into the eye with a needle every month, indefinitely, in order to prevent progression of the disease. In addition to the pain and the discomfort of receiving an injection into the eye each month, the patients are also exposed to the risk of a catastrophic eye infection due to a needle penetrating the eye. Moreover, the very high cost of the medication along with its administration by an Ophthalmologist can become a large burden on the healthcare budget and patients without insurance may not be able to afford it.

Pazopanib, on the other hand, can be administered as topical eye drops. The active molecule in Pazopanib works to prevent irregular blood vessels and subsequent bleeding under the macula. If this medication is proven effective in subsequent clinical studies and is approved by the FDA, patients with macular degeneration may be relieved of the nightmare of receiving monthly eye injections.

According to Dr. Cohen, Pazopanib has been previously used in humans extensively as an oral agent for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. The most common adverse effect when used orally was elevated liver enzymes that were reversible when medication was discontinued. However, since the levels in the blood are significantly lower when used as topical drops this side effect may not be an issue. In the clinical study, one of the major study endpoints was safety. No serious adverse events in the eye were related to the drug. However, some mild to moderate symptoms were reported in some patients. Further studies are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of this drug in topical application.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3831544.htm.

Original Article: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3831544.htm