Investigational plasma kallikrein inhibitors for the treatment of diabetic macular edema: an expert assessment.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs
; 29(3): 237-244, 2020 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31985300
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Plasma kallikrein is a mediator of vascular leakage and inflammation. Activation of plasma kallikrein can induce features of diabetic macular edema (DME) in preclinical models. Human vitreous shows elevated plasma kallikrein levels in patients with DME. Because of the incomplete response of some patients to anti-VEGF agents, and the treatment burden associated with frequent dosing, there is still considerable need for VEGF-independent targeted pathways.Areas covered This review covers the role of plasma kallikrein in the pathogenesis of DME and the therapeutic potential of plasma kallikrein inhibitors. It discusses early clinical studies of plasma kallikrein pathway modulation for DME, which have been associated with some improvement in visual acuity but with limited improvement in macular edema. This review also highlights KVD001, which is furthest along the development pathway, THR-149, which has recently completed a phase 1 study, and oral agents under development.Expert opinion Plasma kallikrein inhibitors have a potential role in the treatment of DME, with mixed functional/anatomic results in early clinical trials. Given the large unmet need in DME treatment, further studies are warranted.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Macular Edema
/
Plasma Kallikrein
/
Diabetic Retinopathy
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Expert Opin Investig Drugs
Journal subject:
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States