Emerging approaches to the treatment of uveitis: patents of 2000 – 2004

Abstract

The treatment of non-infectious uveitis is often a challenging experience for both the patient and the treating physician. The use of traditional forms of treatment is restricted by limited effectiveness and considerable side effects. This review examines the current trends in therapy and the emerging new classes of therapeutic agents used in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. It then examines some of the newer approaches apparent from recent patenting over the past four years and assesses their likely future significance.

Keywords::

• adhesion molecule
• azothioprine
• chemokine inhibitor
• corticosteroid
• cytokine inhibitor
• dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor
• IFN-2α
• nitric oxide inhibitor
• PDE4 inhibitor
• protein kinase inhibitor
• TNF-α inhibitor
• uveitis