Ocular delivery of repurposed everolimus against dry eye with a tear-triggered in situ hydrogel based on enhanced solubilization and retention
- 1National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- 2State Key Laboratory of Eye Health, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- 3Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233099, China
Abstract
Dry eye represents an increasingly prominent public health burden in modern society. However, the limitations of currently available treatment options have necessitated the pursuit of new therapies. Here we report the repurposing of everolimus (Evero), an mTOR inhibitor with poor aqueous solubility, for dry eye management. Meanwhile, a tear-triggered in situ gelling system (EveroGel) based on the design principle of enhanced solubilization and retention was developed for topical administration of Evero. It was showed that the proposed formulation strategy can facilitate tissue permeation and decrease lacrimal clearance. Evero mitigated the severity of dry eye in a scopolamine-induced mouse model regarding corneal fluorescein, TUNEL, K10 immunofluorescent and conjunctival PAS staining. However, more favorable outcomes were obtained with EveroGel. All excipients present in EveroGel are FDA-approved. Hence, no toxic effects have been observed in the in vivo biocompatibility study. Our work demonstrates the therapeutic potential of rationally engineered ophthalmic formulations of Evero for treating dry eye.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026ocular,
title = {{Ocular delivery of repurposed everolimus against dry eye with a tear-triggered in situ hydrogel based on enhanced solubilization and retention}},
author = {Jing-jie Wang and Si-yu Wang and Xin-xin Liu and Hao Zhou and Si-hang Song and Chen-chen Zhu and Xiu-juan Lv and Kai-hui Nan},
journal = {Materials Today Bio},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103782},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103782},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ocular delivery of repurposed everolimus against dry eye with a tear-triggered in situ hydrogel based on enhanced solubilization and retention
AU - Jing-jie Wang
AU - Si-yu Wang
AU - Xin-xin Liu
AU - Hao Zhou
AU - Si-hang Song
AU - Chen-chen Zhu
AU - Xiu-juan Lv
AU - Kai-hui Nan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Materials Today Bio
DO - 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103782
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103782
AB - Dry eye represents an increasingly prominent public health burden in modern society. However, the limitations of currently available treatment options have necessitated the pursuit of new therapies. Here we report the repurposing of everolimus (Evero), an mTOR inhibitor with poor aqueous solubility, for dry eye management. Meanwhile, a tear-triggered in situ gelling system (EveroGel) based on the design principle of enhanced solubilization and retention was developed for topical administration of Evero. It was showed that the proposed formulation strategy can facilitate tissue permeation and decrease lacrimal clearance. Evero mitigated the severity of dry eye in a scopolamine-induced mouse model regarding corneal fluorescein, TUNEL, K10 immunofluorescent and conjunctival PAS staining. However, more favorable outcomes were obtained with EveroGel. All excipients present in EveroGel are FDA-approved. Hence, no toxic effects have been observed in the in vivo biocompatibility study. Our work demonstrates the therapeutic potential of rationally engineered ophthalmic formulations of Evero for treating dry eye.
SN - 2590-0064
ER -