Marta Guerra1,2, Sara Marques1,2, João Quadrado Gil1, Joana Campos3, Paula Ramos1, Andreia Martins Rosa1,4, Maria João Quadrado1,4, Joaquim Neto Murta1,4. 1. 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal . 2. 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu , Viseu, Portugal . 3. 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar de Leiria , Leiria, Portugal . 4. 4 Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra , Coimbra, Portugal .
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a new matrix-regenerating agent (RGTA), Cacicol®, a polymer that mimics heparan sulfates bound to extracellular matrix proteins, avoiding its proteolysis, to treat neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). METHODS: Uncontrolled prospective clinical study performed between January 2014 and May 2016. Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) with corneal neurotrophic ulcers, nonresponsive to at least 2 weeks of conservative therapy, were treated with Cacicol, instilled once/twice a week. During follow-up, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment photography, fluorescein-dye testing, and best-corrected visual acuity were analyzed. Ulcer evolution was evaluated using image analysis software (ImageJ®) and healing defined as decrease of the corneal ulcer area. An independent observer measured ulcer area. RESULTS: All patients had complete corneal healing within an average of 4.13 ± 2.32 weeks. Mean ulcer area decreased significantly (P = 0.001) from 16.51% ± 18.56% (1st day) to 8.68% ± 11.25% at the 7th day and to 4.73% ± 10.75% at the 14th day. Compared with day 1, mean ulcer area decreased 60.24% after 7 days (P = 0.001), 54.92% after 14 days (P = 0.059), and 83.00% after 21 days (P = 0.003). Two cases of recurrence (8.0%) were registered. No systemic or local side effects were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The new regenerating agent, Cacicol, represents an effective and safe therapy to treat NK.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a new matrix-regenerating agent (RGTA), Cacicol®, a polymer that mimics heparan sulfates bound to extracellular matrix proteins, avoiding its proteolysis, to treat neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). METHODS: Uncontrolled prospective clinical study performed between January 2014 and May 2016. Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) with corneal neurotrophic ulcers, nonresponsive to at least 2 weeks of conservative therapy, were treated with Cacicol, instilled once/twice a week. During follow-up, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment photography, fluorescein-dye testing, and best-corrected visual acuity were analyzed. Ulcer evolution was evaluated using image analysis software (ImageJ®) and healing defined as decrease of the corneal ulcer area. An independent observer measured ulcer area. RESULTS: All patients had complete corneal healing within an average of 4.13 ± 2.32 weeks. Mean ulcer area decreased significantly (P = 0.001) from 16.51% ± 18.56% (1st day) to 8.68% ± 11.25% at the 7th day and to 4.73% ± 10.75% at the 14th day. Compared with day 1, mean ulcer area decreased 60.24% after 7 days (P = 0.001), 54.92% after 14 days (P = 0.059), and 83.00% after 21 days (P = 0.003). Two cases of recurrence (8.0%) were registered. No systemic or local side effects were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The new regenerating agent, Cacicol, represents an effective and safe therapy to treat NK.
Authors: Catherine Y Liu; Andrea C Arteaga; Sammie E Fung; M Soledad Cortina; Ilya M Leyngold; Vinay K Aakalu Journal: Ocul Surf Date: 2021-02-26 Impact factor: 5.033
Authors: Leandro Inferrera; Emanuela Aragona; Adam Wylęgała; Antonio Valastro; Gianluigi Latino; Elisa I Postorino; Romana Gargano; Bogusława Orzechowska-Wylęgała; Edward Wylęgała; Anna M Roszkowska Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-03-14 Impact factor: 4.241