Integrin inhibition as a potential treatment for dry eye
Novel treatment lifitegrast could fulfil unmet need in therapy
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disease of the tear film and ocular surface that produces symptoms of chronic ocular discomfort.1 An estimated 25 million people in western Europe have dry eye disease and the prevalence is increasing as the general population is ageing.2
Over the past decade, significant progress has been made into understanding the basic pathophysiology observed in dry eye disease. An emerging body of research has provided insights into the chronic inflammatory nature of dry eye and revealed potential clues for the design of novel treatments.3,4
Currently, only cyclosporine emulsion (0.05%) is approved in the US for dry eye; no pharmaceutical dry eye treatments are approved in Europe. Cyclosporine is approved for increasing tear production after 24 weeks of treatment and not approved for relief of symptoms.
Inhibition of T-cell activation and trafficking to sites of inflammation