Abstract

Silk hydrogels were formulated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapeutics for sustained ocular drug delivery. Using silk fibroin as a vehicle for delivery, bevacizumab-loaded hydrogel formulations demonstrated sustained release of 3months or greater in experiments in vitro as well as in vivo using an intravitreal injection model in Dutch-belted rabbits. Using both standard dose (1.25mg bevacizumab/50μL injection) and high dose (5.0mg bevacizumab/50μL injection) hydrogel formulations, release concentrations were achieved at day 90 that were equivalent or greater than those achieved at day 30 with the positive standard dose control (single injection (50μL) of 1.25mg bevacizumab solution), which is estimated to be the therapeutic threshold based on the current dosage administration schedule of 1 injection/month. These gels also demonstrated signs of biodegradation after 3months, suggesting that repeated injections may be possible (e.g., one injection every 3–6months or longer). Due to its pharmacokinetic and biodegradation profiles, this delivery system may be used to reduce the frequency of dosing for patients currently enduring treatment using bevacizumab or other anti-VEGF therapeutics.

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