Peptide-Based Eye Drops Offer New Hope for Treating Dry AMD

Researchers from the Natural Product Drug Development Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), led by Dr. Moon-Hyeong Seo, have developed an innovative therapeutic agent for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the form of peptide-based eye drops. This breakthrough study, published in Advanced Science, presents a potential non-invasive alternative to current injectable treatments for AMD.

Eye Drops: Overcoming a Major Challenge in AMD Treatment

Eye drops are the most preferred drug delivery method in ophthalmology, but targeting the retina in the posterior segment of the eye has posed significant challenges for drug development. The KIST research team addressed these limitations by focusing on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) inflammatory signaling pathway, a critical mechanism in AMD pathogenesis.

A Revolutionary Approach to Peptide-Based Therapy

To create this innovative therapy, researchers:

       • Generated a library of over 190,000 peptide candidates by extracting sequences from proteins structurally similar to natural TLR signaling proteins.

       • Utilized advanced screening technology to identify peptides that bind specifically to TLR signaling proteins.

       • Discovered multiple peptides capable of inhibiting interactions between TLR proteins, effectively disrupting the inflammatory signaling pathway involved in AMD.

Promising Results in Preclinical Testing

The team validated the efficacy of the peptide-based eye drops in mouse models of dry AMD:

       • Retinal cells were protected, and degeneration was significantly reduced, with results comparable to healthy mice.

       • The findings suggest that peptide-based eye drops could replace invasive injectable treatments while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Advantages of Peptide-Based Eye Drops

The newly developed therapeutic agent offers several benefits:

       • Non-invasive delivery enhances patient convenience and adherence to treatment.

       • Reduced complications and costs associated with repetitive invasive procedures.

       • Improved safety and efficacy, providing a novel option for managing dry AMD.

This innovation is expected to revolutionize accessibility to AMD treatments, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

A Global Vision for Aging-Related Diseases

Dr. Seo highlighted the center’s commitment to mission-driven research:

“The KIST Natural Product Drug Development Center, established in September, aims to develop global drugs targeting aging-related diseases, including cancer and ophthalmic conditions. We plan to pursue collaborative research with domestic and international pharmaceutical companies to advance global clinical trials for this innovative dry AMD therapeutic.”

This groundbreaking development not only promises to transform the treatment landscape for AMD but also paves the way for safer, more accessible therapies for other ophthalmic conditions.

Reference:

Yun Lim et al, Massively Parallel Screening of Toll/Interleukin‐1 Receptor (TIR)‐Derived Peptides Reveals Multiple Toll‐Like Receptors (TLRs)‐Targeting Immunomodulatory Peptides, Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202406018