Growth factor delivery system for the healing of wounds and the prevention of inflammation and disease

Abstract

The present invention features hydrogel drug delivery systems and methods of producing and using such systems for the treatment of wounds. The systems are based on a hydrogel into which a low concentration of growth factor, e.g., epidermal growth factor, is passively transferred from a dilute aqueous solution. When placed in contact with a wounded tissue, the growth factor passively transfers out of the contact lens to provide accelerated healing. The systems are applicable to ocular and other wound treatments.

1 . A method for treating an ocular wound, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a contact lens comprising 
 (i) a polymeric hydrogel;  
 (ii) a water content of between 37.5% and 75%; and  
 (iii) substantially pure epidermal growth factor; and  
   (b) contacting said contact lens with said ocular wound, wherein said epidermal growth factor is passively released from said contact lens to treat said ocular wound.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens passively releases at least 0.01, 0.05, 0.5, 1, 10, 15, or 20 μg of said epidermal growth factor.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens is contacted with said ocular wound for at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, or 24 hours.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens further acts as a protective shield against mechanical abuse.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ocular wound is in epithelial tissue.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ocular wound is in the sclera or cornea.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ocular wound is the result of vision correcting surgery.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said vision correcting surgery is LASIK, PRK, or LASEK.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said epidermal growth factor causes a reduction in pain compared to an ocular wound not contacted with said contact lens.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric hydrogel comprises a tetrapolymer of hydroxymethylmethacrylate, ethylene glycol, dimethylmethacrylate, and methacrylic acid.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric hydrogel comprises etafilcon A, vifilcon A, polymacon B, lidofilcon A, or vasurfilcon A.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric hydrogel comprises an ionic polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric hydrogel comprises a non-ionic polymer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens comprises between 5 and 350 ppb by weight of said epidermal growth factor.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens further comprises an anti-inflammatory compound  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said anti-inflammatory compound is dexamethasone, fluorometholone, rimexolone, or prednisolone.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens is capable of correcting vision.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said contact lens is capable of correcting vision in the range of +8.0 to −8.0 diopters.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said contact lens has a base curve between 8.0 and 9.0.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens is a piano contact lens.