Research Shows Impact of Tanfanercept for Dry Eye Disease

Tanfanercept ophthalmic solution 0.25%, a novel TNF-α inhibitor, is safe and effective for improving certain symptoms of dry eye disease, according to researchers who presented their findings during a poster presentation at 2020 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

To assess the efficacy and safety of tanfanercept as a treatment option for dry eye disease, the Massachusetts-based researchers conducted a randomized, double-masked, multicenter study.

As part of the study, 637 subjects received tanfanercept 0.25% or a placebo twice daily for 8 weeks. Primary endpoints for their research were mean change in inferior corneal staining score (ICSS) and ocular discomfort score (ODS) from baseline to week 8. Secondary endpoints included central corneal staining score (CCSS), total corneal staining score (TCSS), and eye dryness score (EDS).

While tanfanercept did not improve ICSS (P =.187), the team’s findings show that it did significantly improve CCSS (P =.024) and TCSS (P =.045) at week 8. More specifically, improvement in CCSS was observed as early as week 1 (P =.048) and was maintained until week 8 of the study. The investigators noted a stronger significance at week 8 in the subgroup of more severe patients at baseline (P <.001). Tanfanercept also improved ODS at week 2 and week 4, and significantly improved EDS at week 8 for subjects using artificial tears within 30 days of their first visit (P =.033).

The investigators report no serious adverse events related to the drug.

References

Ciolino JB, Ousler GW. Efficacy and safety of tanfanercept ophthalmic solution 0.25%, a novel tnf-α inhibitor, in patients with dry eye disease in a phase 3 trial (VELOS-2). Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology 2020 Annual Meeting; November 13-15, 2020. Abstract PO094