Intraocular Nanoparticle Drug Delivery: A Pilot Study Using an Aerosol during Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Abstract

This study demonstrates a novel method of drug delivery to the posterior pole by using aerosolized nanoparticles that may be used in the gas phase of vitrectomy. Therapeutic applications include antimetabolites for modulation of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, antimicrobial agents for endophthalmitis, antiangiogenic compounds for vasoproliferative disorders, corticosteroid delivery, and other pharmacotherapies directed at the retina and choroid.

Routes for drug deliverytopical, transscleral, suprachoroidal, and intravitreal gas-phase nanoparticles

“…Larger molecules, such as antibodies, proteins, and perhaps lipophilic molecules, would not be required to diffuse across the sclera in order to target uveal tissue. 54 An example of a target disease is proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR); however, there are numerous potential applications of this technology. Drug levels from the depot site in the SCS would decline based on the diffusional pathways as represented from the drug diffusion schematic (Figure 11.4).…”

“…54 A pure diffusion model is mathematically represented. For single-fill delivery, two models estimate the deposited mass.…”

“…54 There are two distinct methods of aerosol drug deposition (Figure 11.7). 54 There are two distinct methods of aerosol drug deposition (Figure 11.7).…”

Drug delivery systems for the eye

“…Codrugs of 5-FU and retinoic acid have already been developed [101]. Drug delivery in nanoparticulate form during the gas phase of a vitrectomy has recently been described but the therapeutic benefits are yet to be reported [102].…”

Drug Delivery to Posterior Intraocular Tissues: Third Annual ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference

“…Disadvantages include the size of the animal for housing, high per diems, and lack of inbred strains. In addition, recovery after some surgical procedures can be difficult because of inflammation 36,37…”