Table 4 Summary of clinical trials with NGF in ophthalmology

Neurotrophic keratitis

Twelve patients case report.

Mouse NGF. Several daily applications of a 200 μg/ml solution for 6 weeks.

Topical (eye).

Healing of all of the ulcers, improved corneal sensitivity and integrity and improved visual acuity.

Not reported.

[172]

Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series; 43 patients.

Mouse NGF. Several daily applications of a 200 μg/ml solution until ulcer healing.

Topical (eye).

Complete resolution of the epithelial defect between 12 days and 6 weeks of treatment. Improvement of corneal sensitivity and visual acuity.

Hyperemia and ocular and periocular pain.

[176]

Observational study on 11 patients.

Mouse NGF. Several daily applications of a 200 μg/ml solution until ulcer healing.

Topical (eye).

Ulcer healing between 9 and 43 days after initiation of treatment. No development of systemic anti-NGF antibodies in a follow-up time of 72 months.

Mild and transient conjunctival hyperemia and photophobia.

[177]

Glaucoma

Three patients case report.

Mouse NGF. Four daily applications of a 200 μg/ml solution for 3 months.

Topical (eye).

Progressive improvement in the functionality of the inner retinal layer and in the parameters of the post-retinal neural conduction and visual acuity, maintained for 3 months after discontinuation of treatment.

Local burning during the first week of treatment in a single patient.

[178]

Bilateral age-related macular degeneration (retinopathy)

Single case study.

Mouse NGF. Three times daily applications of 200 μg/ml solution for 2 separate periods of 1 year and 5 years in the right eye.

Topical (eye).

Improvement in visual acuity and in the amplitude of the ERG.

Slight burning at the time of application of eye drops during the first month of treatment.

[179]