use of acthar gel single-dose pre-filled selfjecttm injector in patients with moderate-severe keratitis and autoimmune disease

Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases; Dry Eye; Neurotrophic Keratitis

Summary: single-site, open label pilot study of 20 autoimmune patients diagnosed with dry eye demonstrating via the proparacaine challenge some peripheral corneal pain component. at least 16 patients will receive and complete 12 weeks of 80 units of acthar gel to be injected subcutaneously twice weekly via acthar gel single-dose pre-filled selfjecttm injector (selfject) to assess the effects on subjective sensation of ocular pain, conjunctival and corneal staining, in vivo assessments of corneal nerves as measured by confocal imaging, vas scales of common neuropathic pain symptoms and comfort of selfject will be assessed.

the primary objective of the study is to demonstrate the on-label use of acthar gel with selfject for improvement of symptoms in non-infectious keratitis related to systemic autoimmune disease and the improvement of the appearance and function of corneal nerves as visualized by confocal microscopy and demonstrated by cochet-bonnet) and to assess the improvement of common neuropathic corneal pain symptoms caused by dysfunctional nerves due to various autoimmune inflammatory disease. this study will also follow patients for up to 3 years after 12 weeks of administration of acthar gel 80 units twice weekly to assess changes from end of treatment to end of study in visual acuity, corneal and conjunctival staining

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. subject can read, understand, sign and informed consent. 2. provision of signed and dated informed consent form and hippa authorization. 3. stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability 4. for the duration of the study 5. male or female aged 18-85 years. 6. normal eyelid anatomy 7. patients diagnosed with dry eye for at least 6 months prior to enrollment. 8. patients with symptom bother score at baseline of 50.6 or greater. 9. patients with a diagnosis of any autoimmune disease. 10. patients with one or more corneal neuroma as seen on baseline confocal microscopy. 11. patients with partial or total relief of corneal pain with one drop of proparacaine over 15 minutes post-instillation. 12. no prior use of acthar gel selfject or otherwise for any indication. exclusion criteria: * 1. have a known hypersensitivity or contraindication to the investigational product or their components. 2. unwilling to participate in study activities or report for study visits. 3. current pregnancy or lactation per self-report. patients who are unwilling to use an effective method of birth control while participating in the study and for four weeks after the last dose of study drug is administered. 4. use of antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, or prescription eye drops within 24 hours prior to screening and for the study, unless the dose has been stable for 14 days. 5. current use of cenegermin, topical nerve growth factor or platelet rich plasma or use within the past 30 days. 6. treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of screening. 7. have serious or severe disease or uncontrolled medical condition that in the judgement of the investigator could confound study assessments, limit compliance, or pose safety risks. 8. systemic medications known to cause dry eye should not be used including antimuscarinics, antihistamines, vitamin a analogs, antianxiety agents, and others unless stable for at least 30 days.

Keywords: dry eye autoimmune neurotropic keratitis