Abstract
Introduction Diabetic retinopathy (DR) affects millions of individuals on a global scale. Current treatment for DR encompasses different drug delivery systems. Typically, intravitreal injections carry a half-life which is less than 5 days. Therefore, frequent injections are required increase the risks and complications that come with this procedure. An in situ forming drug delivery implant comprising nanoparticles and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles could overcome these drawbacks.
Aims To develop dexamethasone solid drug nanoparticles (SDNs) that are suitable for intravitreal drug delivery.
Methods An emulsion templated freeze-drying technique was used to synthesise dexamethasone SDNs. SDNs were evaluated for size, polydispersity index and dispersion rating, and well as stability. In vitro cytotoxicity to ARPE-19 cells was also studied.
Results SDN acceptance parameters were set, with sizes between 1000–1500nm, PDI<0.7 and dispersion rating of 1 or 2. Out of ten SDNs, four met the acceptance criteria. Cytotoxicity testing different concentrations of the four final SDNs further narrowed this down to two final SDNs that would make potential candidates for intravitreal therapy.
Conclusion Two novel dexamethasone solid drug nanoparticles have been synthesised to take forward for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
Acknowledgements EPSRC (EP/S012265/1 and EP/R024839/1)
