Matrix therapy offers alternative in treatment of chronic corneal ulcers, neurotrophic ulcers

PARIS — A matrix regeneration agent offers a new, easy and effective treatment option for chronic corneal ulcers and neurotrophic ulcers, according to a specialist.

The agent, developed and commercialized in Europe by Théa under the name Cacicol, is a mimetic of the heparan sulfates present in the extracellular matrix.

“Matrix therapy with Cacicol aims at restoring the matrix architecture and promotes healing processes with instillation of just one drop every other day. Results are visible within 10 to 15 days, or 4 weeks in the more complicated cases,” Sihem Lazreg, MD, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology.

Sihem Lazreg

She personally treated 25 cases of corneal ulcers related to graft-versus-host disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and severe Sjögren syndrome. Successful healing was achieved in 24 cases.

Matrix therapy is a new concept in this field, with significant advantages over autologous serum or amniotic membrane.

“Autologous serum entails complicated procedures. It has to be transported and preserved at a constant 4°C temperature, which is difficult particularly in the hot climate of north Africa. In addition, fresh serum is needed every 48 hours,” Lazreg said.
Amniotic membrane, on the other hand, is not always found and used in hospitals.

“Chronic patients, until now, had no proper treatment available,” she said.

Matrix therapy is a promising new option and, although not cheap, is still less than the high costs of previous options.

Disclosure: Lazreg has no relevant financial disclosures.