Ocular inflammation in monkeys: acute anterior uveitis and cyclitis with inflammatory cells, flare and iris neovascularization
“Group 3 monkeys had acute anterior uveitis and cyclitis characterized by aqueous flare, inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, hemorrhage into anterior chamber, and neovascularization of the iris, anterior synechiae of both irides as revealed by ophthalmic examination on Days 5, 8, 15 and 22.”
Low systemic exposure after intravitreal dosing; in rabbits about 2 to 3% of dose in kidneys and liver
“Systemic exposure to fomivirsen following intravitreal administration was low. In rabbits treated with radiolabeled fomivirsen, it was possible to measure low levels (~2 to 3% of the total dose) of radioactivity in kidneys and liver.”
Dose-dependent intraocular inflammation (cyclitis), with retinal involvement in severe cases
“It appeared that intravitreal injection of ISIS 2922 caused cyclitis in the animals, monkeys and rabbits, and humans. The observed ocular changes were dose-dependent. In the severe cases, retina was involved in the ocular alterations.”
Main pharmacology-related risk is increased susceptibility to infections (C5 inhibition); no complement activation by the aptamer in monkeys; panuveitis with Lucentis combination