Five Cases of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects Treated With Eyedrops Containing the Fibronectin-Derived Peptide PHSRN

Abstract

Purpose: : We have previously shown that the fibronectin-derived peptide PHSRN promotes corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo. We have now examined the clinical efficacy of eyedrops containing the PHSRN peptide for treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs).

Methods: : Five patients (five eyes of three men and two women; mean ± SD age, 79.2 ± 9.6 years) with PEDs were treated by administration of eyedrops containing PHSRN. The duration of the PEDs before treatment was 2.7 ± 1.2 months, and the treatment was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Yamaguchi University Hospital. The eyedrops were administered as one drop per eye four times a day for 28 days. Epithelial defects were observed and photographed during the treatment course.

Results: : The PED of patient 1 was due to neurosurgery and disappeared within 17 days after the initiation of treatment with eyedrops containing PHSRN. The PED of patient 2 was due to rheumatism and trachoma and had diminished in size but not disappeared after 28 days. The PED of patient 3 was due to toxic keratopathy and disappeared within 11 days after the initiation of treatment. The PED of patient 4 was due to severe dry eye, diabetes mellitus, and entropion and had disappeared within 17 days. Finally, patient 5 withdrew from the study at 14 days after treatment onset. None of the patients manifested ophthalmic or systemic adverse effects during or after treatment.

Conclusions: : Eyedrops containing the PHSRN peptide are clinically efficacious for the treatment of PEDs.

Clinical Trial: : www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index/htm UMIN000002709

Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing • cornea: clinical science