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Diquafosol ophthalmic solution for dry eye treatment
Masatsugu Nakamura1, Takahiro Imanaka, Asuka Sakamoto
1Research and Development Division, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8916-16, Takayama-cho, Ikoma-shi, Nara 630-0101, Japan. nakamuram@santen.co.jp
Advances in Therapy
|July 31, 2012
Summary
Diquafosol ophthalmic solution effectively treats dry eye by stimulating tear and mucin secretion. Clinical trials show it is non-inferior to sodium hyaluronate and superior in specific staining improvements for dry eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dry eye pathogenesis understanding has advanced, with new diagnostic tests and treatments developed.
- Research in diquafosol for ophthalmic use has progressed significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review basic and clinical research on the development of diquafosol for ophthalmic use.
- To evaluate diquafosol's efficacy and mechanism in treating dry eye disease.
Main Methods:
- Diquafosol, a dinucleotide and P2Y(2) receptor agonist, was studied for its effects on tear and mucin secretion.
- Clinical studies compared 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution to 0.1% sodium hyaluronate in dry eye patients.
Main Results:
- Diquafosol promotes tear and mucin secretion by acting on ocular surface P2Y(2) receptors.
- 3% diquafosol was effective in treating dry eye disease, showing non-inferiority to sodium hyaluronate in corneal staining and superiority in Rose Bengal staining.
Conclusions:
- Diquafosol ophthalmic solution offers a novel mechanism for dry eye treatment by stimulating tear and mucin secretion.
- It shows potential for patients with tear film instability and short tear break-up time dry eye.
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