Evaluation of a delivery system providing long-term release of cyclosporine.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the clearance of cyclosporine after intravitreal injection and to assess the kinetics and toxic effects of an intravitreal device that provides sustained delivery of cyclosporine. METHODS: Rabbits were divided into two groups to evaluate (1) the elimination kinetics after 1-microgram and 10-microgram intravitreal injections of cyclosporine and (2) the levels produced after implantation of a device that contained cyclosporine over 6 months. The toxic effects of the intravitreal device over 6 months were assessed in rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. RESULTS: After the 10-microgram injection, the half-life was longer (10.8 hours vs. 4.2 hours) and the distribution volume was smaller (1.7 mL vs 3.2 mL) than after the 1-microgram injection. This difference can be attributed to saturable partitioning of the drug. The device resulted in a vitreous concentration of approximately 500 ng/mL throughout the study period. In the rabbit it resulted in reversible lens opacification and decreased b-wave amplitude. This toxic effect was not detected in the monkey. CONCLUSIONS: The device produces sustained intravitreal levels of cyclosporine. Although it was associated with reversible toxic effects in the rabbit, it was well tolerated in primates. Sustained-release implants are a promising new treatment for chronic uveitis.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Vitreous Body
- Tissue Distribution
- Retina
- Rabbits
- Ophthalmology & Optometry
- Male
- Macaca fascicularis
- Lens, Crystalline
- Injections
- Immunosuppressive Agents
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Vitreous Body
- Tissue Distribution
- Retina
- Rabbits
- Ophthalmology & Optometry
- Male
- Macaca fascicularis
- Lens, Crystalline
- Injections
- Immunosuppressive Agents