A new typr of Uveitis treatment for 2008?

Implications: This "fast track" exposure for the LX211 may allow for a new type of uveitis treatment by the end of 2008. the hope is to decrease toxicity, and increase effectivity.

Analysis: Uveitis is usually treated with antibiotic, steroid, and cycloplegic eye drops. LX211 is attempting to treat uveitis by stopping the T-cells from creatign the inflammation.

This is a novel technique to keep patients off steroids for long periods of time. Steroids decrease the effect of the body attacking the uveal tract of the eye, namely the iris and ciliary body. It is a form of the body attacking itself. It may be mediated by T-cells.

Steroids reduce all types of the bodies' immune response (or over response in the case of uveitis). Steroids taken long term can raise intra ocular pressure resulting in glaucoma. Lotemax produced by Bausch & Lomb (BOL) is a patented form of ocular eye drop steroid that reduces the potential for a rise in intraocular pressure.

Steroids will also produce cataracts after 6 grams of total body uptake.

In order to reduce the need of steroids, as well as the side effects of steroids, Lux Biosciences has developed the new
treatment. If it works we will have a new, hopefully less toxic method of treating a potentially sight threatening autoimmune disease.