[Control of wound healing after glaucoma surgery. Effect and inhibition of the growth factor TGF-beta].

The main problem of the surgical failure after trabeculectomy is postoperative scarring of the filtering bleb. The treatment with anti-metabolites such as 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C to prevent scarring shows many toxic side-effects and causes patient stress. In the search for therapeutic alternatives, the focus of current research concentrates on the pathophysiological interaction between growth factors and their role in the induction of scarring. Among the growth factors, TGF-beta 2 represents an important stimulant of scarring with a key regulatory function. The TGF-beta 2 concentration in the aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma is significantly elevated. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated promising inhibition of scarring after subconjunctival application of human monoclonal anti-TGF-beta 2 antibody, which appears to be a safe and well tolerated therapeutic approach. Currently, several prospective studies are investigating the role of anti-TGF-beta 2 antibody as an alternative to conventional long term inhibition of scarring.