Ocular Pharmacology: Recent Breakthroughs and Unmet Needs


Book Description

The research on ocular pharmacology has increased significantly, over the past decade. More recently, the discovery and approval of eye disease modifying treatments is considered an unbelievable scientific breakthrough. Anti-VEGF molecules, cell therapy and gene therapy for age-related retinal degeneration, autologous corneal cells replacement, and Leber’s congenital amaurosis to name a few as some impressive examples. New drugs have been recently introduced for the treatment of glaucoma focusing on new pharmacological targets, such as Rho kinase inhibitors. For example, such novel treatments have been approved for optic neuromyelitis spectrum disorders. Regarding diseases of the front of the eye, advances have been reached with approval of recombinant Nerve Growth Factor (cenegermin) for treatment of neurotrophic keratitis. New discoveries and treatments recently introduced in ophthalmology should promote new efforts and encourage research in ocular pharmacology. It is noteworthy that several medical unmet needs remain in the field of ocular diseases, particularly for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Early stages of DR or dry AMD need a cure and glaucoma deserves a new therapeutic approach in terms of retinal ganglion cells protection. Furthermore, current pharmacological treatments of glaucoma do not address one major issue underlying the pathology: neuroinflammation. When it comes to dry eye disorders, novel ophthalmic formulations and research findings focusing on immunomodulatory responses are welcomed to provide new insights on these conditions. Finally, one of the most challenging aspects in ocular pharmacology is related to ocular drug delivery. This Research Topic would like to address and discuss important medical unmet needs, and include a tangible contribution to handle sight threatening diseases that have a devastating impact not only for the patients but also for the healthcare system. This Research Topic aims to translate new basic science into clinically breakthrough therapies to help patients faced with debilitating ocular diseases. The Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Clinical trials, and Case Reports articles that cover the following topics, but not limited to: • Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as potential pharmacological target of eye diseases (glaucoma, retinal diseases, ocular surface diseases). • Investigation on novel pharmacological targets for treatment of diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye. • New ocular drug delivery systems.




Handbook of Basic and Clinical Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics


Book Description

Handbook of Basic and Clinical Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics provides a review of the basic anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology of the eye with a focus drug therapy, drug delivery and use of therapeutic medical miniature devices. An understanding of the pharmacological actions of drugs acting on the eye requires the student and health care practitioner to learn additional principles in basic and clinical sciences that are unique to this organ. As a sensory organ, the eye is relatively inaccessible to the systemic circulation due to the blood-vitreous, blood-aqueous and blood-retinal barriers. Consequently, the administration of drugs for therapeutic effects in the eye necessitates an understanding of physico-chemical properties of the molecules and pharmacokinetic principles involved in the access to its site of action via topical, intracameral and intravitreal administration. This book includes information on the general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs as it pertains to the eye and in combating ocular disorders and diseases. Using a disease-themed approach, the book discusses basic and clinical pharmacological principles involved in the therapy of these diseases including the ocular side effect of systemically-administered drugs, drugs used in ophthalmic surgery and miscellaneous agents, the therapeutic utility of biologics, drug conjugates, combination products, gene and cellular therapy are also covered. Handbook of Basic and Clinical Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics is useful as a primary and secondary source of reference for up-to-date information about the pharmacological mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug-drug interactions and therapeutic indications of drugs for pharmacologists, pharmaceutical scientists, students in the health care disciplines (nursing, pharmacy, optometry, medical), and practitioners in optometry and ophthalmology. - Explains the mechanisms of action, side-effects and therapeutic uses of drugs, biologics, miniature devices, gene and cellular therapies for the eye - Provides a comprehensive review of the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, genetics and pathology of parts of the eye involved in drug therapy to combat eye disorders and diseases - Explores the pharmacological and clinical basis of drugs, drug conjugates, combination products used in the treatment of anterior and posterior segment diseases




Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems


Book Description

The second edition of this text assembles significant ophthalmic advances and encompasses breakthroughs in gene therapy, ocular microdialysis, vitreous drug disposition modelling, and receptor/transporter targeted drug delivery.




Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders


Book Description

Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders is the summary of a workshop convened by the IOM Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders to examine opportunities to accelerate early phases of drug development for nervous system drug discovery. Workshop participants discussed challenges in neuroscience research for enabling faster entry of potential treatments into first-in-human trials, explored how new and emerging tools and technologies may improve the efficiency of research, and considered mechanisms to facilitate a more effective and efficient development pipeline. There are several challenges to the current drug development pipeline for nervous system disorders. The fundamental etiology and pathophysiology of many nervous system disorders are unknown and the brain is inaccessible to study, making it difficult to develop accurate models. Patient heterogeneity is high, disease pathology can occur years to decades before becoming clinically apparent, and diagnostic and treatment biomarkers are lacking. In addition, the lack of validated targets, limitations related to the predictive validity of animal models - the extent to which the model predicts clinical efficacy - and regulatory barriers can also impede translation and drug development for nervous system disorders. Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders identifies avenues for moving directly from cellular models to human trials, minimizing the need for animal models to test efficacy, and discusses the potential benefits and risks of such an approach. This report is a timely discussion of opportunities to improve early drug development with a focus toward preclinical trials.




Ophthalmic Product Development


Book Description

This is a comprehensive textbook addressing the unique aspects of drug development for ophthalmic use. Beginning with a perspective on anatomy and physiology of the eye, the book provides a critical appraisal of principles that underlie ocular drug product development. The coverage encompasses topical and intraocular formulations, small molecules and biologics (including protein and gene therapies), conventional formulations (including solutions, suspensions, and emulsions), novel formulations (including nanoparticles, microparticles, and hydrogels), devices, and specialty products. Critical elements such as pharmacokinetics, influence of formulation technologies and ingredients, as well as impact of disease conditions on products development are addressed. Products intended for both the front and the back of the eye are discussed with an eye towards future advances. @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-469750017 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}




Controlled Release Veterinary Drug Delivery


Book Description

Many controlled release veterinary drug delivery systems (CRVDDS) are presently in use, and recently there has been a host of new CRVDDS within veterinary medicine. The challenges of this area of drug delivery arise from the unique anatomy and physiology of the target animal, the cost constraints associated with the value of the animal being treated and the extended periods of time that delivery must be sustained for (often measured in months).The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to the unique opportunities and challenges of the field of CRVDDS and to explain and discuss the basic controlled release principles underlying the development of CRVDDS. Its aim is to provide an overview of many of the areas where CRVVDS have application, and to highlight the opportunities and prospects for controlled release technology in the veterinary field.Controlled Release Veterinary Drug Delivery comprises chapters that provide workers in the field (and those interested in this area) with information on the design, development and assessment of a variety of CRVDDS. The book contains chapters that describe the relevant animal physiological and anatomical considerations alongside descriptions of current and emerging controlled release delivery systems for a variety of routes for drug delivery, and present overviews on the physical and chemical assessment of veterinary controlled release delivery systems.The veterinary area is abound with opportunities for the development of controlled release drug delivery technologies. It is an area of medicine that is open to the acceptance of novel drug delivery devices, and which readily encompasses the use of novel routes of administration. It is an area of many unmet needs, most of which offer opportunities and unique challenges for the innovative formulation scientist to provide solutions. This book will provide an insight into the biological, clinical and pharmaceutical challenges that face the formulation scientist in this interesting and diverse area of research.




Ocular Therapeutics


Book Description

Ocular Therapeutics: Eye on New Discovery focuses on emerging areas in ocular research, from new approaches to dry eye to gene therapy in the management of retinal diseases. This comprehensive book features more than 25 chapters of information that will be vital for ocular investigators and ophthalmologists bringing them new information on promising therapeutics. It is the intent of this book to provide not only information on current approaches to treatment, but also in giving the reader a greater understanding as to what may become available for treating a number of important eye diseases. Each chapter features some new aspect of treatment that holds great promise for the future. The approach has been to concentrate on those areas of ocular diseases that are more prevalent. It also features new insight for drug delivery and for managing devasting diseases, such as macula edema and glaucoma, two of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. This book will serve as an important resource as it contains a number of relevant references highlighted for their importance to the field. New investigators will be able to obtain an historical perspective for each of the topics and to develop an understanding of the new research directions that are underway. Ocular Therapeutics: Eye on New Discovery is more than a reference book, as it also provides an important glimpse into the near future.* Contains information that is vital for ocular investigators and ophthalmologists bringing them new information on promising therapeutics.* Provides not only information on current approaches to treatment, but also gives the reader a greater understanding as to what may become available for treating a number of important eye diseases.* Historical perspective for each of the topics as well as an important glimpse into the near future to develop an understanding of the new research directions underway.* New insight for drug delivery and for managing devastating diseases, such as macula edema and glaucoma, two of the leading causes of blindness in the United States




Webvision


Book Description




Drug Discovery and Development, Third Edition


Book Description

Drug Discovery and Development, Third Edition presents up-to-date scientific information for maximizing the ability of a multidisciplinary research team to discover and bring new drugs to the marketplace. It explores many scientific advances in new drug discovery and development for areas such as screening technologies, biotechnology approaches, and evaluation of efficacy and safety of drug candidates through preclinical testing. This book also greatly expands the focus on the clinical pharmacology, regulatory, and business aspects of bringing new drugs to the market and offers coverage of essential topics for companies involved in drug development. Historical perspectives and predicted trends are also provided. Features: Highlights emerging scientific fields relevant to drug discovery such as the microbiome, nanotechnology, and cancer immunotherapy; and novel research tools such as CRISPR and DNA-encoded libraries Case study detailing the discovery of the anti-cancer drug, lorlatinib Venture capitalist commentary on trends and best practices in drug discovery and development Comprehensive review of regulations and their impact on drug development, highlighting special populations, orphan drugs, and pharmaceutical compounding Multidiscipline functioning of an Academic Research Enterprise, plus a chapter on Ethical Concerns in Research Contributions by 70+ experts from industry and academia specialists who developed and are practitioners of the science and business




Management of Diabetic Retinopathy


Book Description

Recently developed diagnostic and therapeutic technologies such as OCT-angiography and small gauge vitrectomy have influenced the modern treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This volume provides a summary of the state-of-the-art evidence-based approach to managing complications that may occur with diabetic retinopathy. It offers the latest information on pathogenesis and diagnosis, and highly experienced clinicians review the results of relevant randomized clinical trials that serve as the basis of current therapy. The book provides not only a summary of data from randomized trials but also an analysis and interpretation by internationally renowned experts. Ophthalmology residents, fellows, and practicing clinicians will find this book to be a useful reference when seeking evidence-based treatment strategies for various complications of diabetic retinopathy. It is also for researchers identifying new avenues of drug developments and for insurance professionals and health care policy administrators who are establishing evidence-based therapy guidelines for therapeutic intervention.