Eyeworld.org EW Week Vol.14 No.15

OSI, Genentech warn healthcare pros about Tarceva

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:02:59 -0400

Healthcare providers are in the midst of receiving letters about potential side effects of cancer drug Tarceva (erlotinib, OSI/Genentech, San Francisco, Calif.). The two companies, along with the Food and Drug Administration, noted corneal perforation or ulceration have been reported during use of Tarceva. Other ocular disorders including abnormal eyelash growth, keratoconjunctivitis sicca or keratitis have been observed with Tarceva treatment and are known risk factors for corneal ulceration/perforation. The healthcare provider letter recommended doctors interrupt or discontinue Tarceva therapy if patients present with acute and/or worsening ocular disorders such as eye pain.

ROP protein target identified

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:02:59 -0400

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego said a mouse study strongly suggests that the protein kinase JNK1 plays a key role in the development of retinopathy in premature infants, the university said in a press release. “Paradoxically, it isn’t high oxygen levels that damage the retina,” said Monica Guma, M.D., Ph.D., of the departments of pharmacology and pathology at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Rather, the premature retina is first exposed to a high-oxygen environment and becomes accustomed to it. When the infant is more mature and is returned to a ‘normal’ oxygen environment, the retina reacts to this hypoxia – or decrease in oxygen availability – as a stress.” Using a mouse model of ROP, the UC San Diego researchers showed that mice lacking JNK1 exhibited lower levels of VEGF in the retina, so angiogenesis and normal retinal function were barely disrupted. “Using the JNK1 inhibitor, we were able to decrease VEGF production in half,” said Dr. Guma. “Cells were still able to secrete some VEGF, but not enough to induce overgrowth of blood vessels in the retina.”

FDA accepts Isolagens BLA

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:02:59 -0400

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a Biologics License Application (BLA) on a nasolabial fold/wrinkles product candidate from Isolagen (Exton, Pa.), the company said in a press release.

Specific foods linked to reduced AMD risks

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:02:59 -0400

A new analysis of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) data has associated specific food intake patterns with substantial AMD risk reductions, according to Archives of Ophthalmology. The journal announced results showing a diet that includes key nutrients and low-glycemic index foods is likely to reduce risks for . Chung-Jung Chiu, PhD, and colleagues found study participants whose diets included higher levels of protective nutrients and of low-GI foods were at lowest risk for early and advanced AMD. The researchers analyzed data from 4,003 AREDS participants, involving 7,934 eyes. Levels of AMD-protective nutrients, including vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), as well as low-glycemic index foods, were assessed using participants’ food intake reports. “Although the compound score may be a useful new tool for assessing nutrients in relation to AMD, specific dietary recommendations should be made only after our results are confirmed by clinical trials or prospective studies,” Dr. Chiu said in the journal release.