The effect of prinomastat (AG3340), a potent inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases, on a subacute model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

To determine the efficacy of prinomastat (AG3340), a synthetic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, in the treatment of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) induced by intravitreal dispase injection. One eye each of 53 New Zealand white rabbits was injected in the vitreous cavity with 0.07 unit of dispase to induce PVR. One week after PVR induction, 53 rabbits were randomized (27:26) to receive 0.5 mg prinomastat or the vehicle of the drug (acidified water) intravitreally every two weeks. The scores of PVR severity (scale of 1-5) were graded to compare the prinomastat-treated animals with the control group. The average PVR scores in the treatment and control groups were 2.62 and 3.57 respectively (p = 0.038; Wilcoxon rank sum). Clinically significant PVR with retinal detachment (PVR > or = grade 3) developed in 76% of rabbits in the control group versus 51% of rabbits treated with prinomastat. Intravitreally administered prinomastat decreased development of PVR in an experimental model which made use of dispase to induce PVR.