Focusing on protein drug applications in ocular therapy: challenges and strategies
10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20250630-00215
- VernacularTitle:重视蛋白质药物在眼部的应用：挑战与应对策略
- Author:
Huayang FENG
1
;
Jingguo LI
1
Author Information
1. 河南省人民医院眼科 河南省立眼科医院 郑州大学人民医院，郑州 450003
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Protein therapeutics;
Ocular diseases;
Eye drops;
Intraocular injection;
Drug delivery systems
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology
2025;43(8):681-687
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Protein therapeutics, owing to their high specificity and potent activity, have demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of various ocular diseases, particularly playing a central role in posterior segment disorders such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis.However, effective ocular delivery remains challenging because of anatomical barriers and rapid clearance mechanisms.Topical eye drops are convenient but suffer from low bioavailability and poor stability, while intravitreal injections are effective but invasive and require frequent administration.This expert commentary outlines current applications of protein drugs in the eye, evaluates key delivery challenges, and discusses the physiological barriers encountered in ocular protein delivery via eye drops, along with strategies to enhance drug stability and penetration on the ocular surface, as well as the metabolic clearance pathways following intraocular injection and approaches to prolong intraocular drug residence time.By highlighting both limitations and potential solutions, this article aims to enlighten the development of more effective ocular protein therapies.
