Rho-kinase inhibitors - new topical hypotensive drugs in the glaucoma treatment
This review presents ROCK inhibitors - a new family of hypotensive drugs that lower intraocular pressure by enhancing trabecular outflow. It mentions a crutial role of the actin- myosin contractile system in resisting the aqueous humor outflow, and describes the effect that selective Rho-kinase inhibitors have on trabecular system contraction, laxation and, consequently, on the outflow volume. The article also enumerates several Rho-kinase inhibitors that are currently in the pipeline, such as Rhopressa™ (Phase III, “Aerie Pharmaceuticals”, USA), Roclatan™, Ar-12286 (Phase II, “Aerie Pharmaceuticals”, USA), K-115 (Phase III, “Kowa Pharmaceutical”, Japan), AMA0076 (Phase II, “Amakem Therapeutics”, Belgium). The review provides a short description of their mechanisms of action, such as the relaxation of trabecular meshwork that leads to increased outflow, mediated decrease in fluid production and lowering of episcleral venous pressure. It also describes the transient moderate adverse reactions, and gives a brief recount of conducted clinical trials of the new drugs.