Plasma Rich in Growth Factors for the Treatment of Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis

Abstract

Borja de la Sen-Corcuera,1,2 Jesús Montero-Iruzubieta,3,4 Ronald M Sánchez-Ávila,1,5 Gorka Orive,1,2 Eduardo Anitua,1,2 Manuel Caro-Magdaleno,4 Jesús Merayo-Lloves5 1Biotechnology Institute (BTI), Vitoria, Spain; 2University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology (UIRMI), Vitoria, Spain; 3Clínica Cartujavisión, Sevilla, Spain; 4Hospital Universitario Virgen de Macarena, Sevilla, Spain; 5Instituto Universitario Fernández-Vega, Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, SpainCorrespondence: Ronald M Sánchez-ÁvilaInstituto Universitario Fernández-Vega, Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica, Avda Dres Fernández-Vega Num 34, Oviedo E-33012 Principado de Asturias, SpainTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: The objective was to evaluate the clinical results obtained from the use of immunosafe plasma rich in growth factors (isPRGF) in the treatment of patients with cicatrizing conjunctivitis (CC) who had not responded to the usual therapy.Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study that included patients diagnosed with CC, in whom isPRGF was used in different phases (I: eye drops; II: eye drops and injectable; III: eye drops, injectable and surgical treatment) to achieve control of the inflammation. As a clinical follow-up of the patients, the better corrected visual acuity (BCVA), degree of inflammation (measured from 1 to 4), the severity of the CC, Schirmer I test, IOP and TBUT were analyzed. The adverse events were also evaluated.Results: Ten eyes (6 patients) were evaluated, 50% corresponded to Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and 50% to ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid. The mean age was 59.7 ± 16.5 (39– 80) years, and 50% were women. Fifty per cent of the cases were initially considered severe CC, and 10% of the cases (one eye of one patient) were considered severe CC at the end of the treatment (p = 0.046). The initial degree of inflammation was 2 in 4 eyes, 3 in two eyes, and 4 in 4 eyes, and final inflammation degree was 1 in all cases (p = 0.004). Twenty per cent of the cases achieved stability in Phase I of the treatment with immunosafe PRGF, 70% with both Phases I and II, and only one case underwent Phase III to achieve stability. The IOP improved significantly (p = 0.027) though the BCVA, TBUT and Schirmer I test showed no significant changes. The follow-up time was 23.1 ± 6.7 (13.6– 30.3) months. No adverse effects were reported.Conclusion: Treatment with PRGF technology in its injectable and topical immunosafe formulations may be a novel alternative for the treatment of patients with CC, given its complement activity modulating effect, as well as its anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and regenerative properties.Keywords: immunosafe plasma rich in growth factors, isPRGF, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid, blood derivatives

Keywords

• immunosafe plasma rich in growth factors (isprgf)
• stevens-johnson syndrome
• ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid
• blood derivatives