NGF (Nerve Growth Factor)
NGF was discovered in the early 50's by Rita Levi Montalcini, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery. Since then, several applications have been found for this substance, which is present in all human tissues (and all mamals for that matter) and in the blood stream. This substance is therefore naturaly present in the human cornea. Over the last few years, NGF was identified as a promising treatment for many ocular diseases, notably in terms of promoting corneal wound healing (and particularly in neurotrophic cases).
Drs. Aloe, Lambiase and al. have demonstrated its interest in the wound healing of corneal ulcers (particularly severe cases when all other therapies had failed), in the improvement of corneal sensitivity or photophobia and the recovery of sight. For instance, as of today, more than 200 corneas have been treated using NGF in Italy alone. No side effects were identified in the long term so far.
A few examples of topical treatment of neurotrophic keratitis using NGF:
NEJM -- Topical Treatment with Nerve Growth Factor for Corneal ...
The NGF Patent for the treatment of corneal diseases:
http://www.pharmcast.com/Patents/Yr2003/Mar2003/032503/6537808_Nerve032503.htm
http://www.fondazionebietti.it/cen.php?liv=91&sottoliv=107&tipo=0&lingua=1#27
South Korea - trials on post-LASIK (rabbit):
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