BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preclinical data suggest that intravitreally administered erythropoietin (EPO) is both neuroprotective and safe. In a small pilot series, we intended to assess the feasibility of intravitreal EPO injections in humans. METHODS: Three patients with acute vascular occlusion of the posterior pole received a single intravitreal EPO injection of 2000 U. Immediately before the injection and over the ensuing 3 months, these patients were closely monitored by measuring visual acuity, visual fields, intraocular pressure, the electroretinogram, the haematocrit and serum EPO levels. RESULTS: Over the observational period, most parameters remained unchanged except for a short-term rise of serum EPO levels, which, however, did not exceeded normal serum levels. No injection-related toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on this limited set of data, a single EPO injection of 2000 U, a dose adapted from previous in vivo studies, is feasible and seems to induce no obvious damage. Hence, further investigations of this therapeutic approach appear justified.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preclinical data suggest that intravitreally administered erythropoietin (EPO) is both neuroprotective and safe. In a small pilot series, we intended to assess the feasibility of intravitreal EPO injections in humans. METHODS: Three patients with acute vascular occlusion of the posterior pole received a single intravitreal EPO injection of 2000 U. Immediately before the injection and over the ensuing 3 months, these patients were closely monitored by measuring visual acuity, visual fields, intraocular pressure, the electroretinogram, the haematocrit and serum EPO levels. RESULTS: Over the observational period, most parameters remained unchanged except for a short-term rise of serum EPO levels, which, however, did not exceeded normal serum levels. No injection-related toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on this limited set of data, a single EPO injection of 2000 U, a dose adapted from previous in vivo studies, is feasible and seems to induce no obvious damage. Hence, further investigations of this therapeutic approach appear justified.
Authors: Ana Paula Resende; Beatriz Silva; Berta São Braz; Telmo Nunes; Lídia Gonçalves; Esmeralda Delgado Journal: Drug Deliv Transl Res Date: 2017-10 Impact factor: 4.617
Authors: S L Shirley Ding; S N Leow; R Munisvaradass; E H Koh; M L C Bastion; K Y Then; S Kumar; P L Mok Journal: Eye (Lond) Date: 2016-06-10 Impact factor: 3.775