METHOD OF PREVENTING PROLIFERATION OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM BY RETINOIC ACID RECEPTOR AGONISTS

摘要

Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium followingsurgery or trauma or resulting in ocular diseasesassociated with choroidal neovascularization, such as agerelated macular degeneration and histoplasmosis syndrome,is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epitheliumcells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acidreceptor (RAR) agonist, preferably one with specificactivity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RARagonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent geneexpression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinalpigment epithelium is ameliorated with a therapeuticamount of an AP-l antagonist, alone or in combinationwith an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered bybolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosagefrom about 50 to 150 µg, or by slow release from liposomesor an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity.Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinalpigment epithelium are also provided.