Oral voclosporin: novel calcineurin inhibitor for treatment of noninfectious uveitis.

Abstract

Voclosporin, a novel immunomodulatory drug inhibiting the calcineurin enzyme, was developed to prevent organ graft rejection and to treat autoimmune diseases. The chemical structure of voclosporin is similar to that of cyclosporine A, with a difference in one amino acid, leading to superior calcineurin inhibition and less variability in plasma concentration. Compared with placebo, voclosporin may significantly reduce inflammation and prevent recurrences of inflammation in patients with noninfectious uveitis. Future studies have to show if these advantages are accompanied by greater clinical efficacy and fewer side effects compared with the classic calcineurin inhibitors.

• Authors: Martin Roesel, Christoph Tappeiner, Arnd Heiligenhaus, Carsten Heinz
• Journal: Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) (Clin Ophthalmol) Vol. 5 Pg. 1309-13 ( 2011) ISSN: 1177-5483 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 21966207 (Publication Type: Journal Article)