Review
Ophthalmology
Dhyana Sharma, Ian Zachary, Haiyan Jia
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical reports of response-loss in patients with neovascular eye diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), after repeated anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The front-line treatment for neovascular AMD and DME is the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF biologic drugs, but some patients experience disease recurrence and develop acquired resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. This review discusses the changes to angiogenic signaling pathways and ocular endothelial glycolysis following VEGF-targeted treatment, and proposes potential mechanisms underlying the development of acquired resistance to anti-VEGF therapy.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reem H. ElSheikh, Muhammad Z. Chauhan, Ahmed B. Sallam
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly population, with neovascular AMD (nAMD) being the main contributor to visual loss. Currently approved anti-VEGF agents have shown favorable prognosis for nAMD but come with a substantial financial burden for patients and the healthcare system due to their high cost and the need for repeated treatments and visits. Emerging therapies aim to prolong treatment intervals and introduce new modalities for better results.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Slawomir Liberski, Malgorzata Wichrowska, Jaroslaw Kociecki
Summary: Diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration are common causes of blindness in developed countries. Current treatment with anti-VEGF agents has limitations, necessitating the development of new therapeutic methods. The Ang/Tie-2 pathway and the use of faricimab as a bispecific monoclonal antibody show promise in improving disease management and reducing treatment burden.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Noemi Lois, Christina Campbell, Norman Waugh, Augusto Azuara-Blanco, Mandy Maredza, Hema Mistry, Danny McAuley, Nachiketa Acharya, Tariq M. Aslam, Clare Bailey, Victor Chong, Louise Downey, Haralabos Eleftheriadis, Samia Fatum, Sheena George, Faruque Ghanchi, Markus Groppe, Robin Hamilton, Geeta Menon, Ahmed Saad, Sobha Sivaprasad, Marianne Shiew, David H. Steel, James Stephen Talks, Paul Doherty, Cliona McDowell, Mike Clarke
Summary: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and standard laser (SL) for diabetic macular edema (DME) with central retinal thickness (CRT) < 400 μm. The results showed that SML therapy was equivalent to SL therapy and required slightly more laser treatments.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhuang Cui, Wei Zhou, Qinxue Chang, Tiantian Zhang, Hui Wang, Xiangda Meng, Yuanyuan Liu, Hua Yan
Summary: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of conbercept and ranibizumab for the treatment of AMD, DME, and PM in China, finding that conbercept was more suitable and cost-effective compared to ranibizumab under the current Chinese healthcare setting.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Kian Madjedi, Austin Pereira, Brian G. Ballios, Parnian Arjmand, Peter J. Kertes, Michael Brent, Peng Yan
Summary: For patients with refractory diabetic macular edema, switching to alternative anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents such as aflibercept or ranibizumab may lead to significant improvement in retinal thickness and edema.
SURVEY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christina A. Korb, Sabine Beck, Dominik Wolters, Katrin Lorenz, Norbert Pfeiffer, Franz H. Grus
Summary: This study compares the serum autoantibody profiles of patients with dry and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with healthy volunteers in order to identify potential biomarkers for disease progression.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Leo Ka Yu Chan, Sui Sum Lin, Fiona Chan, Danny Siu-Chun Ng
Summary: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common cause of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic patients. Approximately 1 in 10 diabetic patients suffers from DME, making it a significant issue in primary-care screening.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Muhammad Sohail Halim, Rubbia Afridi, Murat Hasanreisoglu, Muhammad Hassan, Mohamed Ibrahim-Ahmed, Diana V. Do, Yasir Jamal Sepah
Summary: This analysis of the READ-3 study found that baseline central subfield thickness (CST) is a significant predictor for the response of macular edema to ranibizumab (RBZ) therapy at year 1, especially when CST exceeds 570 μm, with over 80% probability of persistent edema.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tobias Strunz, Michael Poellmann, Maria-Andreea Gamulescu, Svenja Tamm, Bernhard H. F. Weber
Summary: Anti-VEGF treatment has been effective in preserving vision for nAMD patients, but response to treatment varies. Criteria such as visual acuity and retinal thickness can separate patients into responders and non-responders, but even non-responders show changes in retinal thickness. Genetic association studies have not yielded significant findings, suggesting the need for larger phenotyping studies to assess anti-VEGF treatment responses in nAMD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Sonali Nashine
Summary: This article discusses the contribution of aging to ocular diseases such as AMD, and introduces potential therapeutic candidates for AMD along with their known mechanisms of cytoprotection.
Article
Ophthalmology
Ana Navarrete, Brice Vofo, Katherine Matos, Antonio Rivera, Itay Chowers, Jaime Levy
Summary: The study aimed to determine the anatomical consequences of delaying intravitreal injection therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. The results showed a significant correlation between treatment delay and increased macular thickness, which may impact visual outcomes.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Archana A. Nair, Avni P. Finn, Paul Sternberg
Summary: The emergence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has revolutionized the treatment of retinal neovascular diseases, and multiple agents and methods are being developed to increase treatment duration and reduce patient burden. Faricimab, the newest agent on the market, targets two distinct pathways to create a more durable effect, and clinical trials have shown increased treatment duration.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ryo Mukai, Hidetaka Matsumoto, Hideo Akiyama
Summary: The study explores the clinical outcomes of vitrectomy for intractable DME where anti-VEGF agents or periocular steroids have proven ineffective. Results suggest that vitrectomy may help stabilize retinal morphology in such cases, especially when accompanied by ERM or VMT.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pengxiang Zhou, Siqian Zheng, Ente Wang, Peng Men, Suodi Zhai
Summary: Conbercept is well-tolerated and effective in improving vision and fundus condition in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema compared with laser photocoagulation, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, and placebo. Further large-sample and long-term studies are needed.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean-Marc Behr, Scott Alexander Irvine, Chaw-Su Thwin, Ankur Harish Shah, Min-Chul Kraun Bae, Eyal Zussman, Subbu Venkatraman
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samyukta Ravishankar, Seigo Suzuki, Toshiki Sawada, Sierin Lim, Takeshi Serizawa
BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Valeriia Zaremska, Jiajun Tan, Sierin Lim, Wolfgang Knoll, Paolo Pelosi
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Thao T. H. Pham, Sundaravadanam Vishnu Vadanan, Sierin Lim
Article
Ophthalmology
Jayabalan Nirmal, Veluchamy A. Barathi, Andreas Dickescheid, Yeo Sia Wey, Sonali Nirmal, Miguel Moreno Raja, Subbu Venkatraman, Rupesh Agrawal
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2020)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rohit Bisht, Sonali Nirmal, Rupesh Agrawal, Gaurav K. Jain, Jayabalan Nirmal
Summary: Delivering stable and clinically relevant biologics concentration to the back of the eye remains a challenge in ocular therapeutics, with injectable in-situ gelling depot systems emerging as an effective system for this purpose. This review discusses various biologics used in ocular therapeutics, challenges associated with their delivery, different routes of delivery, tissue barriers, and types of injectable in-situ gelling depot systems developed for biologics delivery to the back of the eye. Various critical parameters related to formulation development process and injectable depot systems highlighted in this study require careful consideration and further investigations.
JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis E. Contreras-Llano, Conary Meyer, Yao Liu, Mridul Sarker, Sierin Lim, Marjorie L. Longo, Cheemeng Tan
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Vaidehi Garg, Jayabalan Nirmal, Yassine Riadi, Prashant Kesharwani, Kanchan Kohli, Gaurav Kumar Jain
Summary: The study indicated that PNVs were more effective in treating uveitis compared to tacrolimus. PNV therapy not only alleviated clinical symptoms, but also prevented the breakdown of blood aqueous barrier. The research demonstrates the potential of PNVs as a new topical treatment for uveitis.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Manisha Malani, Prerana Salunke, Shraddha Kulkarni, Gaurav K. Jain, Afsana Sheikh, Prashant Kesharwani, Jayabalan Nirmal
Summary: The limited time and large number of deaths due to COVID-19 present a challenge in finding appropriate therapeutic approaches. Drug repositioning and pharmaceutical excipients show promise as fast and effective treatment options, but further verification of their safety and efficacy is required. Meanwhile, alternative methods such as home remedies and phytotherapies are being explored for prevention and therapy in the absence of specific treatments for COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinkai Tang, Moumita Rakshit, Huei Min Chua, Anastasia Darwitan, Luong T. H. Nguyen, Aristo Muktabar, Subbu Venkatraman, Kee Woei Ng
Summary: The study showed that the size, charge, and lipid composition of liposomes affect the uptake by macrophages and foam cells, with cationic and DSPC liposomes being internalized more. Phagocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis were identified as dominant mechanisms of uptake, and anionic and DSPC liposomes induced more cholesterol efflux capacity in foam cells.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Daniel Wee Yee Toong, Jaryl Chen Koon Ng, Fangsen Cui, Hwa Liang Leo, Liang Zhong, Shaoliang Shawn Lian, Subbu Venkatraman, Lay Poh Tan, Ying Ying Huang, Hui Ying Ang
Summary: This study investigated the use of nanocomposite materials to enhance the properties of bioresorbable coronary scaffolds, finding that functionalized nanofillers improved mechanical properties. Finite element analysis showed that nanocomposite BRS with thinner struts had increased radial strength and stiffness, which could potentially mitigate scaffold thrombosis and promote re-endothelialisation of the vessel.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jaryl Chen Koon Ng, Daniel Wee Yee Toong, Valerie Ow, Su Yin Chaw, Hanwei Toh, Philip En Hou Wong, Subbu Venkatraman, Tze Tec Chong, Lay Poh Tan, Ying Ying Huang, Hui Ying Ang
Summary: Drug delivery systems in cardiovascular applications include drug-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons to ensure effective treatment. Besides antiproliferative drugs, growth factors, genetic materials, hormones, and signaling molecules are also used. Nanoencapsulation techniques are developed for targeted drug delivery. This review discusses drug delivery and coating mechanisms in current drug-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons, as well as innovations in drug-eluting stent technologies and drug encapsulation in nanocarriers for vascular diseases.
Article
Biophysics
Deepika Modi, Jayabalan Nirmal, Musarrat Husain Warsi, Meenakshi Bhatia, Nazeer Hasan, Prashant Kesharwani, Gaurav K. Jain
Summary: The study developed and evaluated tacrolimus gellan gum nanoparticles (TGNPs) for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) and demonstrated their potential for efficient management of DED.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manisha Malani, Manthan S. Hiremath, Surbhi Sharma, Manisha Jhunjhunwala, Shovanlal Gayen, Chittaranjan Hota, Jayabalan Nirmal
Summary: Patients with chronic diseases undergo long-term systemic drug treatment, but ocular barriers can falsely recognize these drugs and allow them to enter the eye from the bloodstream, leading to toxicity. Understanding the role of organic cation transporter (OCT1) in ocular barriers is important for the entry of systemic drugs into the eye. Machine learning and computer simulation models were used to predict potential OCT1 substrates from various systemic drugs causing ocular toxicity. The accuracy of the machine learning model was around 80%, and it identified previously unknown potential OCT1 substrates.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Manisha Malani, Surbhi Sharma, Manisha Jhunjhunwala, Manthan S. Hiremath, Shovan Lal Gayen, Chittaranjan Hota, Jayabalan Nirmal
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
