Combination Nanomedicine Strategy for Preventing High-Risk Corneal Transplantation Rejection

Abstract

High-risk (HR) corneal transplantation presents a formidable challenge, with over 50% of grafts experiencing rejection despite intensive postoperative care involving frequent topical eyedrop administration up to every 2 h, gradually tapering over 6-12 months, and ongoing maintenance dosing. While clinical evidence underscores the potential benefits of inhibiting postoperative angiogenesis, effective antiangiogenesis therapy remains elusive in this context. Here, we engineered controlled-release nanomedicine formulations comprising immunosuppressants (nanoparticles) and antiangiogenesis drugs (nanowafer) and demonstrated that these formulations can prevent HR corneal transplantation rejection for at least 6 months in a clinically relevant rat model. Unlike untreated corneal grafts, which universally faced rejection within 2 weeks postsurgery, a single subconjunctival injection of the long-acting immunosuppressant nanoparticle alone effectively averted graft rejection for 6 months, achieving a graft survival rate of ∼70%. Notably, the combination of an immunosuppressant nanoparticle and an anti-VEGF nanowafer yielded significantly better efficacy with a graft survival rate of >85%. The significantly enhanced efficacy demonstrated that a combination nanomedicine strategy incorporating immunosuppressants and antiangiogenesis drugs can greatly enhance the ocular drug delivery and benefit the outcome of HR corneal transplantation with increased survival rate, ensuring patient compliance and mitigating dosing frequency and toxicity concerns.