Phd in INNOVATIVE BIOTECH SOLUTIONS FOR SENSORY ORGANS
DISEASES

Thesis title: Impiego del Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) per il trattamento dell'otticopatia glaucomatosa mediante lo sviluppo di metodiche innovative di valutazione della biodistribuzione intraoculare.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the visual system and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Current research aims to preserve and restore the function of the optic nerve, which is primarily damaged by the disease, through the administration of neuroprotective molecules. Among these, nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of the best studied and known and is currently available as a drug in its recombinant human form (recombinant human NGF, Rh NGF - Cenegermin). Cenegermin does not yet have an indication for the treatment of glaucoma, and new intraocular delivery methods are being investigated for this purpose. However, according to the available literature, there is a lack of specifically validated laboratory assays to estimate the biodistribution of RhNGF in the posterior segment of the eye. The aim of this study is to establish a calibration curve and limits of quantification (LoQs) of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for RhNGF to assess its biodistribution in the vitreous, retina and optic nerve in an animal model. In addition, this study will establish the same parameters using the AlphaLISA™ (Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogenous Assay) technique for RhNGF in the vitreous. To our knowledge, this method has never been used to assess the pharmacokinetics of Cenegermin in ocular tissues.