Anti-fibrotic Therapy for Glaucoma

Article: Birmingham research paves the way for new anti-fibrotic therapy for glaucoma
Source: University of Birmingham (U.K.)
Published: January 7, 2021
Article: Novel Anti-fibrotic Therapy for Glaucoma
Source: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News
Published: January 8, 2021

In this study, researchers at the University of Burmingham in the U.K. investigated the use of anti-fibrotic low molecular weight dextran-sulphate (ILB) as a potential therapeutic for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in preclinical rodent models. The researchers state, "[W]e demonstrated that ILB acts, in part, by downregulating transforming growth factor (TGF) β signaling genes and by altering gene expression relating to extracellular matrix dynamics, leading to tissue remodeling, reduced fibrosis and functional tissue regeneration. These observations indicate the potential of ILB^® to alleviate fibrotic diseases." To my knowledge, that would be a novel mechanism to treat OAG by reducing fibrosis of the trabecular meshwork. A major limitation of the approach, however, is that ILB as currently formulated is delivered by daily subcutaneous injection. The researchers are planning to work on a topical "shear thinning fluid gel" as a delivery method.


Edit: Another potential drawback of using anti-fibrotic agents is the possibility of causing tissue damage. For example, use of mitomycin C (MMC) after pterygium excision can sometimes result in corneoscleral melt. At the same time, subconjunctival MMC has been explored in trabeculectomy.

My rating of this study: ⭐⭐

Hill LJ, Botfield HF, Begum G, et al. "ILB® resolves inflammatory scarring and promotes functional tissue repair." npj Regenerative Medicine.  6(3). 7 January 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-020-00110-2