WO1999058131A1

WO1999058131A1 - Use of tetracyclines for treating meibomian gland disease

Info

Publication number: WO1999058131A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/009965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen C. Pflugfelder; Balakrishna L. Lokeshwar; Marie Selzer
Original assignee: University Of Miami
Priority date: 1998-05-08
Filing date: 1999-05-07
Publication date: 1999-11-18
Also published as: AU3887999A; ATE418989T1; TWI255713B; JP4860038B2; ATE319456T1; JP2002514602A; PT1676579E; HK1034899A1; EP1676579A3; US20120088739A1; HK1089696A1; EP1075265B1; EP1075265A1; AU763164B2; ES2260912T3; TW200526232A; DE69930252T2; DE69940227D1; US20060154901A1; US6455583B1

Abstract

A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Description

USE OF TETRACYCLINES FOR TREATING MEIBOMIAN GLAND DISEASE

Background of the Invention

Meibomian gland disease is the most common tear film and ocular surface

disorder causing eye irritation. The incidence of the disease increases with age,

and occurs in approximately 50% of patients with the skin disease, rosacea. A

conservative estimate of the number of patients affected with this condition is 1 0

million in the United States alone. It has been reported that 1 5% of patients with

ocular rosacea develop recurrent corneal epithelial erosions, a potentially sight-

threatening problem.

Common complaints of patients suffering from meibomian gland disease

include blurred or filmy vision, burning or foreign body sensations in the eye,

photophobia, and pain severe enough to awaken the person from sleep. Although

patients with this condition usually have normal production of aqueous tears by

their lacrimal glands, their meibomian glands can atrophy and this is frequently

accompanied by metaplasia of the ductal epithelium of these glands. Anterior

erosion of the mucocutaneous junction of the eyelid is often noted, as well as

eyelid and conjunctival infection, eyelid margin irregularity, corneal epithelial

changes, and corneal vascularization.

The mechanisms responsible for the eyelid and ocular surface changes and

irritation symptoms experienced by patients with meibomian gland disease were

heretofore unknown. Therefore, previous treatments of meibomian gland disease

were directed only to treatment of presumed infection of the eyelids or meibomian glands, or had particular disadvantages that made such treatments of little u$$ for

long periods of time. For example, patients with meibomian gland disease have

been symptomatically treated with artificial tears, but these agents provide limited,

if any, improvement. Topically applied steroids to the eyelids or ocular surface are

effective as short-term pulse therapies. However, steroids are not good long-term

solutions because of the potential side-effects e.g., cataract and glaucoma.

Meibomian gland disease is currently not curable or reversible; therefore, patients

with this condition must be treated for life.

Orally administered tetracyclines and tetracycline analogues (e.g.,

doxycycline and minocycline) having antibiotic activity are commonly and

effectively used for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of meibomian gland

disease. The mechanism by which tetracyclines work in treating meibomian gland

disease is not known, but some relief of symptoms has been reported. However,

one disadvantage for using antimicrobially active tetracyclines or tetracycline

analogues orally in the treatment of meibomian gland disease is that a high

percentage of patients are unable to tolerate oral tetracyclines for extended periods

of time. The intolerance to tetracyclines can manifest itself in gastrointestinal

problems, e.g., epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or other problems

related to taking long-term oral antibiotics, such as mucosal candidiasis. At the

present time there are no available long-term treatments of meibomian gland

disease.

Recently, tetracycline and tetracycline analogues have been reported to have

- 2 - antimicrobial-inflammatory effects (e.g., reduction of IL-1 and nitric oxide-

production) and to inhibit synthesis and activation of MMPs. Tetracyclines have

been reported to be effective in treating diseases where chronic inflammation and

tissue destruction due to increased collagenase activity have been implicated.

These diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, sterile corneal ulceration, and

periodontitis.

Certain modifications of the chemical structure of tetracycline result in a

tetracycline analogue which lacks antimicrobial activity. These non-antimicrobial,

chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs) retain their anti- inflammatory and

anti- collagenolytic activities. Topical administration of antimicrobial

tetracyclines or non-antimicrobial CMTs, or oral administration of non-antimicrobial

CMTs represent a major advance in the therapy of patients having meibomian gland

disease because both treatment modalities eliminate systemic toxicity and would

allow lifetime administration of these therapeutic agents for this chronic disease.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The subject invention concerns a class of agents and methods of using those

agents for treatment of a patient having meibomian gland disease, including relief of

symptoms or conditions associated with the disease, such as ocular irritation,

delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion. More specifically, the

subject invention concerns agents and methods for decreasing ocular irritation,

and sur ace inflammation, improving tear clearance, reducing tear IL-1α concentration, or inhibiting l!_-1α-

mediated matrix metalloproteinase activity which is increased in patients with meibomian gland disease or delayed ¹ tear clearance. The subject invention-can thus

be useful for reducing eye irritation, improving tear clearance, reducing IL- 1 α

concentration in the tear fluid, or inhibiting MMP activity in the tear fluid of patients

with delayed tear clearance and increased tear fluid IL-1 α.

In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention concerns use of an effective

amount of a topically administered antimicrobial tetracycline or tetracycline

analogue, or a non-antimicrobial analogue of tetracycline. Non-antimicrobial

tetracycline analogues are commonly referred to and accepted in the scientific

literature as "chemically modified tetracyclines" (CMTs). These compounds, or

compositions comprising those compounds, can be used for treating meibomian

gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent

corneal epithelial erosion. Alternatively, CMTs can be administered orally for

treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear

clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows IL-1 α concentrations in tear fluid for rosacea patients, ideal

controls, and age-matched control subject groups.

Fig. 2 shows gelatinase activity plotted against IL-α concentrations for

normal control (NL) patients and meibomian gland disease (MGD) patients.

Fig. 3 shows fluorescein tear concentration plotted against IL-α

concentration for normal control (NL) patients and meibomian gland disease (MGD)

patients. Fig. 4 shows fluorescein tear concentration plotted against gelatinase activity normal gpntrol (NL) patients and meibomian gland disease (MGD) patients.

Fig. 5 shows the concentration (pg/ml) of mature IL-1α in supernatants of human corneal

epithelial cell cultures. Media = negative control; LPS = cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide for 24h;

LPS MP = cultures treated with LPS and the corticosteroid methylprednisolone for 24h; LPS Doxy =

cultures treated with LPS and doxycycline (5μg/ml) for 24h.

Fig. 6 shows the ratio of the mature to precursor forms of IL-1 α in supernatants of human

corneal epithelial cell cultures. Media = negative control; LPS = cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide for 24h; LPS MP = cultures treated with LPS and the corticosteroid methylprednisolone for 24h; LPS

Doxy = cultures treated with LPS and doxycycline (5μg/ml) for 24h.

Fig. 7 shows the concentration (pg/ml) of IL-1 RA in supernatants of human corneal epithelial cell cultures. Media = negative control; LPS = cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide for 24h; Doxy =

cultures treated with doxycycline (5μg/ml) for 24h; CMT 3 = cultures treated with chemically modified

tetracycline CMT 3 (1 μg/ml) for 24 hr; Doxy + LPS = cultures treated with LPS and doxycycline

(5μg/ml) for 24h; CMT 3 + LPS = cultures treated with LPS and chemically modified tetracycline CMT 3

(1 μg/ml) for 24 hr.

Fig. 8 is a gelatin zymogram of human corneal epithelial cell supernatant: doxycycline treatment and MMP-3 activation. Lane Legend: (1) 92 kDa purified pro-MMP-9 standard (0.1 ng); (2) Corneal epithelial

supernatant + 50 μg/mL doxycycline; (3)Supematant + 50 μg/mL doxycycline + 1.5 ng/μL MMP-3; (4)

Supernatant + 100 μg/mL doxycycline + 1.5 ng/μL MMP-3; (5) Supernatant from cell culture pre-

treated with doxycycline; (6) Supernatant from cell culture pre-treated with doxycycline + 1.5 ng/μL

MMP-3.

-4a- Detailed Description of the Invention

This invention concerns, in a preferred embodiment, the use of topically

applied antimicrobial tetracyclines, including tetracycline or a tetracycline analogue,

or topically or orally administered chemically-modified tetracyclines (CMTs) for

treatment of a patient having meibomian gland disease. According to the subject

invention, treatment of a patient having meibomian gland disease includes reducing

or reversing irritation symptoms, delayed tear clearance, recurrent corneal

epithelial erosion or aqueous tear deficiency. The CMTs lack

antimicrobial activity. For purposes of this invention, tetracycline and its analogues

having antimicrobial activity are termed "antimicrobial tetracyclines" and the

tetracycline analogues lacking antimicrobial activity are termed "CMTs".

We recently discovered that patients with meibomian gland disease have

significantly delayed tear clearance, rapid tear break-up time (often instantaneous),

and tear film instability. In addition, it was found that meibomian gland disease

patients have significantly greater concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokine,

interleukin I alpha (lL-lα) in their tear fluid.

IL-1 α has been reported to have multiple biological effects, including

increasing expression of adhesion molecules by vascular endotheϋal and epithelial

cells that facilitate binding of inflammatory cells, inducing expression of

chemotactic cytokines such as interleukin 8, stimulating production of

- 5 - prostaglandins that increase vascular permeability and pain, stimulating production

of nitric oxide that causes vasodilation and redness, and stimulation of production

of matrix-degrading enzymes, termed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) , by several

different cell types, including mucosal epithelium.

5 We found that the activity of one member of the MMP family, MMP-9 (also

termed gelatinase B), is markedly increased in the tear fluid of patients with

meibomian gland disease associated with rosacea, as compared to normal

asymptomatic patients. In addition, activity of gelatinase B appears to be inversely

correlated with tear clearance.

L O These data indicate that antimicrobial tetracyclines and tetracycline

analogues and CMTs possess biological activities capable of neutralizing the

inflammatory and matrix degrading factors that have been found to be strongly

correlated with the development of ocular rosacea in our studies.

Advantageously, topically applied tetracyclines or CMTs can have greater

L 5 efficacy because of the higher concentrations that can be achieved at the disease

site. Because of their lack of antimicrobial-bacterial effect and greater therapeutic

activity, CMTs can have fewer systemic or other side effects than tetracyclines,

whether administered orally or topically.

Topical administration of a tetracycline analogue in an ointment (e.g . ,

.0 oxytetracycline) or in solution (e.g ., doxycycline eye drops), to patients having

meibomian gland disease associated with rosacea resulted in complete resolution of

symptoms in 73 % (8 of 1 1 ) of the patients treated with the tetracycline analogue

- 6 - ointment and more than 90% ( 1 0 of 1 1 ) of the patients treated with the

tetracycline analogue solution.

Several patients who had previously used oral tetracycline stated that

improvement in their symptoms was better with topically applied oxytetracycline

than orally administered tetracycline. Three patients had moderate but not

complete relief of symptoms. Three other patients experienced burning from the

medication, one of which ceased treatment.

The tetracycline utilized in the present invention may be any of the readily

available, pharmaceutically acceptable tetracyclines known in the medical art.

Included in this group of tetracyclines are those such as chlortetracycline, which is

marketed under the tradename Acronize, Aureocina, Aureomycin, Biomitsin,

Biomycin, and Chrysomykine; Demeclyeycline marketed as Ledermycin, Detravis,

Meciclin, and Mexocine; Doxycyline marketed as Vibramycin, Vibramycin Hyclace,

Liomycin Vibradox, Panamycin, Titradox, Hydramycin, Tecacin; Lymecycline which

is marketed as Armyl, Mucomycin, Tetramyl, Tetralysal; Methacycline which is

marketed as Adriamicina, Cyclobiotic, Germicilclin, Globociclina, Megamycine,

Pindex, Londomycin, Optimycin, Rondomycin; Minocycline which is marketed as

Minocin, Klinomycin, Vectrin; Oxytetracycline which is marketed as Biostat,

Oxacycline, Oxatets, Oxydon, Oxymycin, Oxytan, Oxytetracid, Ryomycin, Stezazin,

Tetraject, Terramycin, Tetramel, Tetran, Dendarcin, Dendarcin; Rolitetracycline

marketed as Bristacin, Reverin, Superciclin, Syntetrex, Syntetrin, Synotodecin,

Tetraverin, Transcycline, Velacicline, Velacycline; and Tetracycline marketed as

- 7 - Achromycin, Ambramycin, Cyclomycin, Polycycline, Tetrabon, and Tetracyn.

The active salts which are formed through protonation of the dimethylamino

group on carbon atom 4, exist as crystalline compounds and are very stable in

water. However, these amphoteric antibiotics will crystallize out of aqueous

solutions of their salts unless stabilized by an excess of acid. The hydrochloride

salts are used most commonly for oral administration. Water soluble salts may be

obtained also from bases such as sodium or potassium hydroxides but are not

stable in aqueous solution, they are also formed with divalent and polyvalent

metals.

The tetracyclines or CMTs used according to the present invention are

preferably orally administered at a dosage level from about 1 0% to about 1 00%,

and preferably about 20% to about 80% of the normal antibiotic therapeutic dose

of the particular tetracycline compound being employed. By normal antibiotic

therapeutic dose is meant the dosage of the particular tetracycline compound which

is commonly used and recommended for the treatment of bacterial infection.

Alternatively, sub-antimicrobial dose means a dose having no significant

antimicrobial effect in vitro or in vivo . More than 1 00% of the normal antibiotic

therapeutic dose can be utilized in the method of the present invention. The normal

antibiotic therapeutic dose of the tetracycline is, for the most part, well studied and

well documented.

Tetracyclines and chemically modified tetracyclines for topical administration

can be added to buffered and electrolyte balanced aqueous solutions, buffered and electrolyte balanced aqueous solutions with a lubricating polymer, mineral oil or

petrolatum-based ointment, other oils, liposomes, cylcodextrins, sustained release polymers or gels in a range

from 0.001 to 3 % (weight per volume or weight per weight) . These

preparations can be administered to the preocular tear film or onto the eyelid skin or

lid margin 1 to 6 times per day for a period up to the lifetime of the patient. For

example, an eye drop solution comprising doxycycline as an active ingredient was

prepared by dissolving pharmaceutical grade doxycycline hydrochloride powder in

an electrolyte-balanced salt solution (BSS\ Alcon, Ft. Worth, TX) to a final

concentration of 0.025% .

In a preferred embodiment, the compounds useful according to the subject

invention are tetracyclines which have been chemically modified so as to

substantially reduce or eliminate antimicrobial properties and increase their

antimicrobial-inflammatory activity. Methods for reducing antimicrobial properties

of a tetracycline are disclosed in The Chemistry of the Tetracyclines, Ch. 6,

Mitscher, Ed., at p. 21 1 . As pointed out by Mitscher, modification at positions 1 ,

2, 3, 4, 1 0, and 1 2a can lead to loss of antimicrobial activity. Such chemically

modified tetracyclines (CMTs) are included in the preferred embodiment of the

present invention, since they can be used without disturbing the normal microbial

flora of the treated mammal as would happen with extended exposure to

antimicrobial tetracyclines .

Preferable CMTs used according to the subject invention include those

lacking a dimethylamino side chain at position 4. For example, 4-dedimethyiamino- tetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-5-oxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-7-

chlortetracycline, 4-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-

1 2a-deoxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino- 1 1 -hydroxy-1 2a-deoxytetracycline, 4-

dedimethylamino-7-dimethylaminotetracycline, 6-dimethyl~6-deoxy-4-

5 dedimethylaminotetracycline, 6-o-deoxy-5-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline,

1 1 a-chlortetracycline, 1 2a-deoxytetracycϋne, and the 2-nitrilo analogs of

tetracycline.

The amount of tetracycline or CMT administered to effectively treat

meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or

- 0 recurrent corneal epithelial erosion is an amount that significantly improves tear

clearance, reduces IL-1 α concentration in the tear fluids, or IL- 1 α mediated

production of MMPs, or MMP activity. The maximal dosage for humans is the

highest dosage that does not cause clinically important side effects. For the

purpose of the present invention, side effects include clinically important disruption

L 5 of the normal flora as well as toxic effects to the eye surface.

The dosage of tetracyclines administered in the present invention is also

additionally dependent upon the age and weight of the person being treated, the

mode of administration, and the type and severity of the inflammatory or matrix-

degrading disease being treated. For illustrative purposes, a suitable amount of the

20 antimicrobial tetracycline, doxycycline, is 0.1 -4.0 mg/kg/day. In the case of a non-

antimicrobial tetracycline, for example, the dose for 4-dedimethyiaminotetracycline

can be 0.1 -30 mg/kg/day. However, in either case, the preferred method of

10 - treatment includes tetracycline or CMT compositions administered topically to the

eye in suitable pharmaceutical carriers . The pharmaceutical carrier may be in the

form of a solution, suspension, ointment, gel, or other form suitable for topical

administration of the tetracycline or topical or oral administration of CMT to the

affected mammal. For oral administration, the CMTs utilized according to the

subject invention can be formulated in the form of tablets, capsules, elixirs, or the

like. Additionally, the tetracyclines or CMTs of the present invention can be

reasonably incorporated into a polymer carrier delivery system for use topically, subconjunctivally, or orally. In addition, other means of administration are contemplated, such as by injection, either

intramuscularly or intravenously.

The following Examples describe in detail compositions and methods

illustrative of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art

that many modifications, both of materials and methods, may be practiced without

departing from the purpose and intent of this disclosure.

Example 1 : Identification of Increased IL-1 α Concentrations in Meibomian Gland

Disease Patients.

In one study, tear fluid concentrations of lnterieukin-1 -alpha (IL-1 α), Tumor

Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in patients having

ocular rosacea were compared with those concentrations in normal patients

(controls) .

Fourteen ( 1 4) patients with severe meibomian gland disease, facial rosacea,

and symptoms of ocular irritation were examined for ocular surface disease, tear

- 11 - production and tear clearance rate (TCR) . For meibomian gland disease

assessment, meibomian glands were examined by slit lamp biomicroscopy and

graded for the presence of orifice metaplasia, expressibility of meibum, and

meibomian gland acinar dropout, as previously described and known from the

scientific literature. Twelve (1 2) controls, frequency-matched for age, and fifteen

(1 5) ideal normals were assessed using the same parameters.

Minimally stimulated tear samples (20μl) were drawn from each subject and

analyzed using a sandwich ELISA to detect IL-1 α, TNF-α, and EGF. Sandwich

ELISA assays for EGF, IL-1 α and TNF-α were performed using commercial kits

(R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) . Prior to each analysis tears were extracted in a

masked fashion by the laboratory technician from the saturated rods by centrifuging

at 3,500g for 5 minutes within the pipette tip.

The samples from both eyes of each patient were pooled. The rods and

pipette tips were carefully removed and the tears aspirated (2μ\ for EGF assay and

4μl for IL-1 α and TNF-α assays) and diluted in ELISA^'buffer (supplied by

manufacturer) to a final volume of 200μl. The tear samples were transferred to

wells of microliter plate and the ELISA performed according to the instructions

provided by the manufacturer. Cytokine concentrations were determined from the

standard curve as described previously in the literature. The results of the cytokine

concentration assays for each subject group are shown in Table 1 below.

- 12 - TABLE 1 : Inflammatory Cytokines in Tears

Subject Group Tumor Necrosis Interleukin-T α (pg/mi) Factor-α (pg/ml)

Rosacea patients < 10 pg/ml 45.4 ± 4.6

Age-matched controls < 10 pg/ml 22.6 ± 5.0 (p = 0.003)

Ideal controls < 10 pg/ml 1 7.1 ± 3.4 (p <0.001 )

P values listed for each control group are derived from comparison of the mean value of that group with the mean value of the same variable in the rosacea group.

Tear IL-1 α concentration was significantly higher in rosacea patients than in

age-matched (p = 0.003) and ideal normal controls (p < 0.00 1 ) (Fig . 1 ) . TNF-α

was not detected in patients or controls, indicating levels of less than 1 0pg/ml.

EGF was not significantly higher in rosacea patients than in age-matched controls.

Tear Clearance LN (TCR) was significantly lower in rosacea patients than in both

age-matched (p = 0.048) and ideal controls (p = 0.002) . Schirmer I scores were

statistically lower in rosacea patients than ideal controls (p = 0.0 1 3) , but not age-

matched controls . IL-1 α was correlated inversely with. tear clearance LN (TCR) (r

= 0.58 p < 0.0001 ) and Schirmer I (r = -0.39, p = 0.01 2) .

It was concluded that concentrations of I L- 1 α are present in normal tears but

are elevated in ocular rosacea, whereas TNF-α is not. The reduced tear clearance

LN(TCR) , its inverse correlation with IL- lα, and the absence of TNF-α the tears of

these patients, suggests that the increased concentration of IL- lα observed, may

be largely due to failure of clearance of cytokine normally produced at the ocular

surface.

13 - In summary, there is a differential increase in the level of the inflammatory

cytokine I L- 1 α in the tear fluid in patients having ocular rosacea . Much of this

elevation can be caused by reduced tear clearance, which can encourage tear

stagnation and perpetuate ocular surface inflammation by stimulating production of

inflammatory molecules.

Example 2: Correlation of Gelatinase Activity with IL-1 α Concentration and Tear Clearance

Tear fluorescein clearance was correlated with IL-1 α concentration and

92 kD gelatinase (MMP 9) activity in the tears of patients. Thirteen patients with

ocular rosacea (including 1 patient with recurrent epithelial erosion, 2 with recurrent

peripheral corneal infiltrates and vascularization and 2 patients with epithelial

basement membrane dystrophy) and 1 3 normal subjects with normal aqueous tear

production and no irritation symptoms were evaluated . Tear fluorescein clearance

was evaluated by measuring fluorescence in tear fluid collected from the inferior

meniscus 1 5 minutes after instillation of 5ml of 2% Na-fluorescein with a Cytofluor

II . I L-1 α was measured by ELISA using an R&D Systems kit. Gelatinase activity

was evaluated by gelatin zymography, comparing tear activity to purified 92kD

gelatinase (MMP 9) .

Compared to normal controls, patients with ocular rosacea had greater delay

of fluorescein clearance (p < 0.001 ) , higher tear IL- 1 α concentration (p < 0.001 ) ,

and greater 92kD gelatinase activity (p < 0.001 ) . Tear IL- 1 α concentration was

correlated with gelatinase activity (rho = 0.58, p < 0.002) (Fig . 2) ; delayed tear

14 - clearance was correlated with elevated tear IL-1 α concentration (rho = 0.8-4,.

p < 0.001 ) (Fig. 3) and increased gelatinase activity (rho = 0.84, p < 0.001 )(Fig. 4) .

Example 3: Reduced Tear Clearance in Ocular Irritation

Reduced tear clearance is commonly found in most patients with ocular

5 irritation irrespective of the patient's tear production. Forty (40) abnormal patients

presenting with a chief complaint of ocular irritation and forty (40) asymptomatic

controls of similar age distribution were used to correlate and compare a new

method of measuring tear fluorescein clearance and the Schirmer 1 test with the

severity of ocular irritation symptoms, presence of meibomian gland disease,

- 0 corneal fluorescein staining scores, and corneal and conjunctival sensitivity. All

subjects completed a symptom questionnaire, a baseline ocular examination,

fluorescein clearance test (FCT) and Schirmer test.

Methods. The fluorescein clearance test (FCT) was performed by measuring

the fluorescein concentration in minimally-stimulated tear samples collected from

.5 the inferior tear meniscus 1 5 minutes after instillation of 5μl of 2% sodium

fluorescein with a Cytofluor II fluorophotometer. Severity of ocular irritation was

assessed with a symptom questionnaire.

Schirmer 1 test, biomicroscopic meibomian gland evaluation, corneal

fluorescein staining score and corneal and conjunctival sensation scores with the

.0 Cachet-Bonnet anesthesiometer were assessed in all subjects.

Results. Irritation symptoms correlated with higher log tear fluorescein

concentration (symptomatic 3.08 + /- 0.62 units/μl, normal control 1 .89 + /- 0.7

- 15 - units/μl, p < 0.005) and lower Schirmer 1 test scores (symptomatic 1 2.6 mηa,

normal control 22.3 mm, p < 0.005). The fluorescein clearance test showed

greater predictive value for .identifying ocular irritation than the Schirmer 1 test.

Example 4: Doxycycline Therapy Improves Tear Clearance and Reduces IL-1 Concentration in the Tear Fluid.

Six patients were treated with oral doxycycline 50 mg orally twice a day for

3 weeks. An improvement in irritation symptoms was observed in -5 of 6 patients.

Additionally, decreased conjunctival hyperemia and corneal fluorescein staining was

observed in all patients. An improvement in fluorescein clearance was noted in 5 of

6 patients and reduction of tear fluid IL-1 concentration was also observed in 5 of 6

patients. These findings indicate that tetracyclines reduce two of the significant

risk factors for ocular irritation in patients with meibomian gland disease.

Example 5: Resolution of Symptoms of Meibomian Gland Disease by Topical Administration of Oxytetracycline.

Eleven ( 1 1 ) patients with ocular irritation symptoms due to meibomian gland

disease associated with rosacea and delayed tear clearance were treated with a

commercially available oxytetracycline ointment (Terak, Akorn Pharmaceuticals) as

a topical administration to the ocular surface or the eyelids. Seventy-three percent

(73%) of these patients had complete resolution of irritation symptoms. See Table

2 below.

- 16 - TABLE 2. Patients with Ocular Rosacea Treated with Oxytetracycline Ointment

Number Patient's Initials BPE! # Date Treated Clinical Response Comments

1 LP 410606 1 /2/97 E

2 HB 393796 1 /13/97 E

3 HP 214814 1 2/23/96 E

4 BP 358105 12/2/96 G mild burning

5 JS 547453 1 /10/97 G burned and stopped

6 FC 225688 1 /7/97 E

7 Jl 422804 1 /1 3/97 E

8 RR 401 297 1 /1 3/97 E

9 CA 88261 1 /27/97 E

10 DL 531404 1 /21 /97 G mild burning

1 1 ES 554804 1 2/1 6/96 E

_ s

E = Excellent response, complete or almost complete relief of symptoms G = Good response, symptoms moderately, but not completed relieved

Several patients who had previously used oral tetracycline stated that

improvement in their symptoms was better with topically applied oxytetracycline

than orally administered tetracycline Three patients had moderate but not

complete relief of symptoms Three other patients experienced burning from the

medication, one of which ceased treatment

Example 6" Resolution of Ocular Irritation by Administration of Topical Doxycycline Solution

Moderate to complete relief of ocular irritation symptoms was also observed

in 1 0 of 1 1 patients experiencing ocular irritation due to meibomian gland disease

and delayed tear clearance that were treated with topical administration of a

^■ 17 - 0.025 % aqueous solution of doxycycline to their eyes 3 to 4 times per day tar 2

weeks. See Table 3. The solution was prepared as described herein. A reduction

of corneal fluorescein staining was observed in several of these patients.

TABLE 3: Patients Treated With Topical Doxycycline

No. BPEI # DIAGNOSIS RESPONSE

1 585447 MGD, DTC complete

2 460606 MGD, DTC moderate, better than oral

3 5371 37 MGD, DTC compete, better than oral

4 606807 MGD, DTC complete

5 590395 MGD, DTC complete

6 593046 MGD, DTC moderate

7 503909 MGD, DTC complete, better than oral

8 558105 MGD, DTC moderate, not as good as oral

9 405797 MGD, DTC no effect

10 576264 MGD, DTC moderate

1 1 562422 MGD, DTC complete

MGD = Meibomian gland disease

DTC = delayed tear clearance

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein

are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light

thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within

the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

18 Example 7 Doxycycline inhibits the conversion of precursor IL-1 β to its mature form in cultured human corneal epithelium.

The effect of Doxycycline was evaluated on the concentrations of precursor

and mature IL-1 β in the supernatants of human corneal epithelial cell cultures

that were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Doxycycline significantly

decreased the level of the mature biologically active form of IL-1 β compared

to LPS-stimulated cultures that were not stimulated with doxycycline (Figure 5). Furthermore, doxycycline markedly decreased the ratio of mature to

precursor IL-1 β (Figure 6). A decrease in the level of IL-1 β mRNA in

doxycycline-treated cultures was also observed. These findings demonstrate that doxycycline inhibits that synthesis and activation of the inflammatory

cytokine IL-1 β.

Example 8 Doxycycline increases release of the anti-inflammatory form of IL- 1 . 1L-1 RA. e-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RA) is a molecule produced by epithelial and inflammatory cells that binds to the type 1 IL-1 receptor but does not initiate signal transduction. IL-1 RA has an anti-inflammatory effect by competing with the pro-

inflammatory forms of IL-1 (IL-1 α and IL-1 β) for the type 1 receptor. The addition of doxycycline or the chemically modified tetracycline CMT-3 to human corneal epithelial cell cultures significantly increased the release of IL- 1 RA in to the media compared to untreated cultures. Furthermore, the concentration of IL-1 RA in corneal epithelial cultures stimulated with LPS and treated with either doxycycline or CMT-3 was greater than cultures exposed to

19 LPS alone (Figure 7). These findings indicate tetracyclines are anti- inflammatory due to their ability to stimulate IL-1 RA release by the human corneal epithelium.

Example 9: Doxycycline decreases MMP-9 activity in human corneal epithelial cultures.

Exposure of human corneal epithelial cultures to doxycycline (5* g/ml) for 24 hours decreased the level of pro-MMP9 activity in the supernatant by 70% compared to untreated cultures (Figure 8). MMP-9 is the metalloproteinase responsible for initiating sterile corneal ulceration and it is also capable of

cleaving precursor IL-1 β into its mature form.

All cited references are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

References

1. Mathers WD, Lane JA, Sutphin JE, Zimmerman MB. Model for ocular tear film function. Cornea. 1996;15:1 10-9.

2. Browning DJ, Proia A. Ocular rosacea. Surv Ophthaimol. 1986;31 :145-58.

3. Jenkins MS, Brown SI, Lempert SL, Weinberg RJ. Ocular rosacea. Am.J.Ophthalmol. 1979;88:618-

20 4. Pflugfelder SC, Tseng SCG, Sanabria O, et al. Evaluation of subjective assessments and objective diagnostic tests for diagnosing tear-film disorders known to cause ocular irritation. Cornea. 1998; 17:38-

5. Driver PJ, Lemp MA. Meibomian gland dysfunction. Surv Ophthaimol. 1996;40:343-67.

6. Bartholomew RS, Reid BJ, Cheesebrough MJ, Macdonald M, Galloway NR. Oxytetracycline in the treatment of ocular rosacea. Br.J. Ophthaimol. 1982;66:386-8.

7. Akpek EK, Merchard A, Pinar V, Foster CS. Ocular rosacea. Patient characteristics and follow-up. Ophthalmology. 1997;104:1863-7.

8. Frucht-Pery J, Sagi E, Hemo I, Ever-Hadani P. Efficacy of doxycycline and tetracycline in ocular rosacea. Am.J. Ophthaimol. 1993;116:8-92.

9. Milano S, Arcoleo F, D'Agostino P, Cillari E. Intraperitoneal injection of tetracyclines protects mice from lethal endotoxemia downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase in various organs and cytokine and nitrate secretion in blood. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1997;41 :117-21.

10. Amin AR, Attur MG, Thakker GD, et al. A novel mechanism of action of tetracyclines: Effects on nitric oxide synthases. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci. U.S.A. 1996;93:14014-9.

21 1 1 . Golub LM, Ramamurthy NS, McNamara TD. Tetracyclines inhibit connective tissue breakdown, new thereapeutic indications for an old family of drugs. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 1991 ;2:297-322

12. Tilley BC, Alarcon GS, Heyse SP, et al. Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. A 48 week double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Ann.lnt.Med. 1995;122:81 -9.

13. Seedor JA, Perry HD, McNamara TD, Golub LM, Buxton DF, Guthrie DS. Systemic tetracycline treatment of alkali-induced corneal ulceration in rabbits. Arch.Ophthalmol. 1987;105:268-71

14. Lindhe J, Liljenberg B, Adielsson B. Effect of long-term tetracycline therapy on human periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontol. 1983;10:590-7.

15. Afonso A, Monroy D, Tseng SCG, Stern M, Pflugfelder SC. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of Schirmer test and fluorescein clearance test for ocular irritation. Ophthalmology. 1999; 106:803-810.

16. Barton K, Monroy D, Nava A, Pflugfelder SC. Inflammatory cytokines in tears of patients with ocular rosacea. Ophthalmology. 1997;104:1868-74.

17. Dinarello CA, Wolff SM. The role of interleukin-1 in disease. N Engl J Med 1993; 328:106-1 13.

22 18. Chouros GP. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune- mediated inflammation. N Engl J Med 1995; 332:1351 -1362.

19. Yucel-Lindberg T, Nilsson S, Modeer T. Signal transduction pathways involved in the synergistic stimulation of prostaglandin production by interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alfa in human gingival fibroblasts. J Dent Res 1999; 78:61-68.

20. Woessner JJ. Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in connective tissue remodeling. FASEB J 1991 ; 5:2145-2155.

21. Afonso A, Sobrin L, Monroy D, Selzer M, Lokeshwar B, Pflugfelder SC.

Tear fluid pro gelatinase B activity correlates with IL-1 α concentration and tear clearance in patients with ocular rosacea. Invest.Ophthalmol Vis.Sci. 1999; (in press)

23

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, aqueous tear deficiency, delayed tear clearance or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, said method comprising:

topically administering an effective amount of tetracycline to an eye of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tetracycline is an antimicrobial tetracycline.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said antimicrobial tetracycline is oxytetracycline.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said antimicrobial tetracycline is doxycycline.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tetracycline is a non- antimicrobial tetracycline.

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6. The method of claim 5, wherein said non-antimicrobial is a member selected from the group consisting of 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline, 4- dedimethylamino-5-oxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-7-chlorotetracycline, 4-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-12a- deoxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-11-hydroxy-12a-deoxytetracycline, 4- dedimethylamino-7-dimethylaminotetracycline, 6-dimethyl-6-deoxy-4- dedimethylaminotetracycline, 6-o-deoxy-5-hydroxy-4- dedimethylaminotetracycline, 11a-chlortetracycline, 12a-deoxytetracycline and 2-nitrilo analogs of tetracycline.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said treatment increases tear clearance in the eye of the patient.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said treatment comprises inhibiting a member selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinase activity in tear fluid, synthesis and activation of interleukin -1 ╬▓, conversion of

precursor interleukin -1 ╬▓ to mature interleukin -1 ╬▓, ocular surface inflammation and reactive oxygen species in tear fluid and ocular surface epithelium.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said matrix metalloproteinase comprises matrix metalloproteinase-9.

25

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said treatment comprises increasing production of interleukin -1 receptor antagonist by corneal epithelium.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said treatment comprises reducing interleukin -1- ╬▒ concentration in tear fluid.

12. A method of treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, aqueous tear deficiency, delayed tear clearance or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, said method comprising:

orally administering an effective amount of tetracycline to an eye of the patient.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said tetracycline is an antimicrobial tetracycline.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said antimicrobial tetracycline is oxytetracycline.

26

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said antimicrobial tetracycline is doxycycline.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said tetracycline is a non- antimicrobial tetracycline.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said non-antimicrobial is a member selected from the group consisting of 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-5-oxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-7-chlorotetracycline, 4-hydroxy-4-dedimethylaminotetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-12a- deoxytetracycline, 4-dedimethylamino-11-hydroxy-12a-deoxytetracycline, 4- dedimethylamino-7-dimethylaminotetracycline, 6-dimethyl-6-deoxy-4- dedimethylaminotetracycline, 6-o-deoxy-5-hydroxy-4- dedimethylaminotetracycline, 11a-chlortetracycline, 12a-deoxytetracycline and 2-nitrilo analogs of tetracycline.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said treatment increases tear clearance in the eye of the patient.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said treatment comprises inhibiting a member selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinase activity in tear fluid, synthesis and activation of interleukin

27 1╬▓, conversion of precursor interleukin -1╬▓ to mature interleukin -1 ╬▓, ocular surface inflammation and reactive oxygen species in tear fluid and ocular surface epithelium.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said matrix metalloproteinase comprises matrix metalloproteinase-9.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein said treatment comprises increasing production of an interleukin -1 receptor antagonist by corneal epithelium.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein said treatment comprises reducing interleukin -1- ╬▒ concentration in tear fluid.

23. A composition for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, said composition comprising an antimicrobial tetracycline or a non- antimicrobial tetracycline as an active ingredient in a balanced salt solution.

28

24. The composition of claim 23, wherein said active ingredient has a final concentration of between about 0.001% to about 1.0%.

25. The composition of claim 23, wherein said active ingredient has a final concentration of about 0.025%.

26. The composition of claim 23, wherein said active ingredient is doxycycline.

27. The composition of claim 23, wherein said antimicrobial tetracycline comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a topical ointment, a gel and a sustained-release preparation.

29