Marked response in inflammatory markers found with topical drug

NEW ORLEANS — Treating conjunctival inflammation with topical cyclosporine 0.05% after trabeculectomy showed various responses from the cell markers that determine inflammation, a study here showed.

In testing four different cell markers for their response to inflammation, Joao F. Lopes, MD, and colleagues showed that there were no statistical differences in their responses to postoperative inflammation.

"This was an important step toward better understanding how these markers work," he said.

Dr. Lopes presented the randomized, prospective, double-masked clinical trial, which looked at 44 patients, at a free paper session at the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

Conjunctival biopsy samples and immunohistochemical staining for four markers were taken at surgery and 6 months postoperatively, he said. Immunoreactive cell analysis was conducted on CD3, a pan T-lymphocyte marker; ICAM-1, an immune activation marker; HLA-DR, an immune activation marker; and MUCSAC, a goblet cell marker, according to Dr. Lopes.

Results showed a noticeable variability in response of inflammatory and goblet cell markers, and surgery might increase the number of goblet cells, whereas other markers have been shown to restrain the immune response, he said. Directly addressing those responses could assist in producing the most effective topical medical regimen.