In a major breakthrough, scientists have recently developed revolutionary eye drops using pig seminal fluid that can prevent the growth of tumors in the retina and preserve vision.
According to new research published in science advancementResearchers used mice for studies and found unprecedented results when it came to its cancer-fighting ability.
Mice treated with eye drops showed preservation of eyesight as well as reduced tumor growth compared to other animals.
The eye drops contain exosomes derived from pig semen, which are designed to carry molecules that kill cancer cells. According to the researchers, these exosomes are uniquely able to penetrate the eye’s protective barriers by opening “tight junctions” in corneal cells.
By loading these particles with a special nanozyme system and targeting them with folic acid, the team successfully stopped tumor growth in mice without harming eyesight.
Chunxia Zhao, a researcher who studies drug delivery and nanomedicine at the University of Adelaide in Australia, said this penetration breakthrough could lead to improvements in drug delivery across other barriers that exist in other diseases.
A promising hope for retinoblastoma
Given the promising efficacy of the drops, it is hoped that such revolutionary drops can treat retinoblastoma, cancer of the retina.
Traditionally, cancer is treated with injections of drugs into the eye, laser therapy, or chemotherapy. Such invasive methods also damage non-cancerous parts of the eye.
The researchers also conducted a 30-day trial on rabbits, which showed that the drops were safe to use even after month-long application. Some team members reported minor corneal irritation.
However, research is currently proof of concept. Long-term effects (more than 30 days) and human efficacy remain unknown.
If successful in humans, this method would replace painful and invasive injections directly into the eyeball.
