Eyenovia: Positive Evidence that Optejet Delivery Technology Decreased Inflammation From Preserved Glaucoma Solutions Compared to Drops
Eyenovia announced results from a research study conducted in collaboration with Pedram Hamrah, MD, Interim Chairman of Ophthalmology at Tufts Medical Center, which evaluated the gene and protein expression of cytokines and chemokines after latanoprost+benzalkonium chloride (BAK) treatment administered via Optejet versus latanoprost+BAK administered via standard eye drops.
“Chronic treatment of glaucoma with BAK preserved topical ophthalmic medications introduces ocular surface stress and may trigger a vicious cycle of inflammation,” Dr. Hamrah said in a company news release. “Unfortunately, the majority of glaucoma patients treated long term with drops eventually succumb to the associated inflammatory effects and discomforts of ocular surface disease.”
Per the in vitro study design, conjunctival epithelial cells were exposed to drug by standard drop or Optejet microdose technology. Assays were then conducted to assess inflammatory Gene expression via RT-qPCR and Protein expression by ELISA. These assays targeted the common immune biomarkers and ocular surface disease inflammatory mediators such as IL6 and MIF cytokines, as well as the chemokine CCL2.
The study found that the expression of pro-Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was decreased in two out of three cytokines with the latanoprost+BAK treatment administered via Optejet technology compared to latanoprost+BAK administered via standard drops. In these early findings, the Optejet technology appears better than latanoprost+BAK administered via standard drops in reducing inflammatory processes and pathways, according to Eyenovia.
“The Optejet Technology shows lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines than standard drops," said Julie Whitcomb, PhD, Sr. Director of Medical Affairs at Eyenovia. "The current study further underscores that precision dosing of drug and preservatives by the Optejet decreases inflammation.”