The use of substances for the treatment of loss of eyesight in humans with glaucoma and other degenerative eye diseases

Abstract

Methods for the prevention and treatment of ocular disorders, in particular glaucoma, through blocking the toxic effects of β-amyloid (Aβ) derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions for effecting such prevention and treatment thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is concerned with methods for the prevention and treatment of ocular disorders, in particular glaucoma, through blocking the toxic effects of β-amyloid (Aβ) derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions for effecting such prevention and treatment thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Studies have shown that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States [Leske M C. The epidemiology of open-angle glaucoma: a review. Am J Epidemiology 1983; 118: 166-191]. The pathologic correlate of glaucoma is the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons which form the optic nerve.[0003]The classification of glaucoma includes the following different types: Primary angle-closure glaucoma, secondary open-angle glaucoma, steroid-induced glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma, pigmentary dispersion syndrome, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, secondary angle-closure glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, uveitis and glaucoma an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031]Such a use characterized in that the medicament comprises the above-identified peptide in combination with at least one additional pharmaceutical agent which is effective in treating such optical conditions, further characterized in that the additional pharmaceutical agent is selected from anti-glaucoma drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, anti-allergic drugs and artificial tear fluid.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, age-related macular degeneration is a condition which reflects features of glaucoma and leads to a progressive loss of vision, leading finally to blindness.

However, many individuals with clearly elevated IOP do not develop glaucoma, and up to 50% of patients with glaucoma do not have an increased IOP.

Thus, there exists a significant unmet medical need for alternative treatment strategies.

These agents are pharmacological research tools only and are not appropriate for treatment of humans for various reasons.

Its original use in the textile industries has long been abandoned because of its toxicity.

Due to its toxicity, the substance cannot be administered systemically in humans.

The intense color of the solution is, besides the burden of the procedure, prohibitive for an intraocular route of application in humans.

As a consequence, Congo red preparations cannot be provided as medication for treatment of glaucoma in humans.

However, the usefulness of anti-All antibodies for the treatment of glaucoma in humans is limited by the known side effect of these biologicals to induce neutralizing antibodies which leads to a loss of efficacy after repeated administrations.

Moreover, antibodies are not orally available, which calls for (repeated) injections (frequently leading to skin irritations).

Finally, antibody production at an industrial level is rather complicated and expensive.

However, the observed effects in rat retinal ganglion cells were not significant and this approach does not seem promising for further development in glaucoma [Guo et al.