The main biological treatment currently used for glaucoma is IOP reduction. As science advances, new targets and therapeutic diseases emerge, but adrenergic modulators continue to play an important role in the treatment of glaucoma. These include mainly α-adrenergic agonists and β-adrenergic antagonists.
Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can be managed with proper management. We hope that new developments in adrenergic modulators may lead to more options for glaucoma drug therapy. Ace Therapeutics provides resources and research to support the development of drugs with specific receptor effects and demonstrate their efficacy and safety.
Adrenergic Physiology in the Eye
Adrenergic receptors are essential for maintaining the balance of various important physiological functions in the body. In the eye, it is concentrated locally in the ciliary body and is of great importance for the treatment of glaucoma. Adrenergic agonists are a class of drugs used in the treatment of many diseases. For glaucoma, there are three main types of adrenergic receptors available, including α1, α2 and β. Adrenergic receptor activation modulates IOP through the level of adenylyl cyclase activity in the ciliary epithelium.
Both β-receptor antagonists and α2 agonists are effective in lowering IOP. α-adrenergic agonists increase aqueous flow from the atrium, and β-adrenergic blockers decrease aqueous production.
Solutions of Adrenergic Modulator Development for Glaucoma
Current drug treatment options for lowering IOP include several classes of topical agents, including adrenergic antagonists or agonists. However, problems with existing drugs include therapeutic efficacy, adverse effects and low compliance. We are focused on developing drugs for glaucoma disease that offer potential adrenergic receptor targets to overcome the shortcomings of drug development.
Our choice of the most commonly used adrenergic receptor modulators includes selective targeting of α2 agonists and β-adrenergic receptor antagonists.
- Development of adrenergic modulators for the treatment of glaucoma
We summarize the actions of many alpha and beta adrenergic receptors and the receptors that mediate them, understanding the classification, distribution and mechanism of action. We select and design specific target drugs based on the pharmacological properties of the desired drug. - Model systems
Build model systems including tissues or organs, animal models for the development of new glaucoma therapies, and be able to develop or systematically evaluate potential new drugs. We can provide preliminary screening services for new drugs using models. - Evaluation protocols for the standardization of potential therapeutic molecules
We offer a typical drug discovery approach using biochemical or cell-based assays for high-throughput screening of candidate libraries. Detect changes in IOP or atrial fluid directly in animal models using in vitro assays.
Table 1. Techniques for measuring variables.
| Variable | Measurement technique |
|---|---|
| Aqueous flow | Fluorophotometry, rate of reduction of aqueous fluorescein concentration gives rate of flow. |
| Trabecular meshwork outflow facility | Dynamic fluorophotometry: changes in aqueous flow as intraocular pressure is lowered pharmacologically. |
| Episcleral venous pressure | Episcleral sphygmomanometry. |
Our Objectives
- Identify the functions and key concepts of adrenergic receptor modulators.
- Explore the mechanisms of action regarding adrenergic receptor modulators.
- Assess the clinical significance of adrenergic receptor modulators in glaucoma.
- Identify development strategies to improve and coordinate drug development outcomes to modify adrenergic modulator adverse effects.
Among current and emerging glaucoma therapies, we focus on the challenges associated with molecular drug development for glaucoma. We provide available products and experimental methods to develop and evaluate new drugs and advance the field of glaucoma therapy.
Reference
- Netland P A and Tanna A P. Glaucoma medical therapy: principles and management. Kugler Publications, 2020.