Antisense oligonucleotide therapy in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and other parts of the world. Historically, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy surgery have been used for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, including diabetic macular edema. Both procedures have proven to be useful under certain conditions but have their limitations.

Predicting response of vitreous hemorrhage after intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) in patients with diabetes.

Purpose: To develop a predictive model for patients with diabetes who are most likely to have vitreous hemorrhage clearing by 3 months after a single, intravitreous injection of highly purified, preservative-free, ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase; ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irvine, CA).

Methods: Post hoc data analysis was performed on two randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trials of a single intravitreous injection of Vitrase for severe vitreous hemorrhage.

The systemic safety of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09%.

Study Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the systemic safety of a commercially available bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in subjects who have undergone cataract extraction.

Design: Two phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel, placebo-controlled, clinical trials were conducted under a common protocol.

Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom) for postoperative ocular pain and inflammation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and ocular safety of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom) for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in subjects who have undergone cataract extraction (CE).

Design: Two phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trials were conducted under a common protocol.

Safety results of two phase III trials of an intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of intravitreous ovine hyaluronidase for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

Design: Two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked studies. Pooled efficacy data are presented in a companion article in this issue of The Journal.

Pooled efficacy results from two multinational randomized controlled clinical trials of a single intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreous ovine hyaluronidase for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

Design: Two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked studies. Safety data are presented in a companion article in The Journal.

Evolving guidelines for intravitreous injections.

Intravitreous (i.v.t.

Fomivirsen.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis can rapidly lead to blindness in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fomivirsen is a novel antisense drug with a 21-nucleotide sequence complementary to the immediate early region 2 of CMV messenger ribonucleic acid. In clinical trials, fomivirsen was shown to provide effective treatment for newly diagnosed, peripheral CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS and in those with relapsed CMV retinitis that is unresponsive to conventional therapy.

Fomivirsen: clinical pharmacology and potential drug interactions.

Fomivirsen sodium is a 21-base phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the messenger RNA of the major immediate-early region proteins of human cytomegalovirus, and is a potent and selective antiviral agent for cytomegalovirus retinitis. Following intravitreal administration, fomivirsen is slowly cleared from vitreous with a half-life of approximately 55 hours in humans. Preclinical studies show that fomivirsen distributes to retina and is slowly metabolised by exonuclease digestion.