Scientists have developed revolutionary eye drops using pig seminal fluid that can halt tumor growth in the retina and preserve vision. Published in Science Advances, the research used mice as subjects and found significant reduction in tumor growth along with preservation of eyesight compared to other animals.
The eye drops contain exosomes derived from pig semen, designed to carry molecules that kill cancer cells. Researchers say these exosomes are uniquely capable of penetrating the eye’s protective barriers by opening “tight junctions” in corneal cells. By loading these particles with a specialized nanozyme system and targeting them with folic acid, the team successfully stunted tumor growth in mice without damaging eyesight.
Chunxia Zhao, a researcher at Adelaide University in Australia, said this breakthrough could improve drug delivery across other barriers present in various diseases. Given the promising efficacy of the drops, it is hoped that they could treat retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina.
Traditionally, cancer is treated with injections of drugs into the eye, laser therapy or chemotherapy. These invasive methods also harm non-cancerous parts of the eye. The researchers conducted a 30-day trial in rabbits showing the drops are safe to use even after month-long application, though some team members reported minor corneal irritation.
However, the research is currently a proof-of-concept. Long-term effects (beyond 30 days) and human efficacy remain unknown. If successful in humans, the method would replace painful and invasive injections directly into the eyeball.