dexamethasone + diquafosol tetrasodium

dexamethasone + diquafosol tetrasodium is a combination therapeutic regimen investigated for the prevention of dacryostenosis (narrowing or blockage of the tear ducts) in patients undergoing chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel. Docetaxel is known to be secreted into the lacrimal tears, where it causes chronic inflammation and subsequent fibrosis of the lacrimal puncta and canaliculi. Dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to prevent this fibrotic process by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and fibroblast activity. Diquafosol tetrasodium is a P2Y2 receptor agonist that stimulates the secretion of water and mucins from the conjunctival epithelium and goblet cells. This action increases tear volume and improves the quality of the tear film, effectively diluting and washing away the dacryotoxic docetaxel from the ocular surface. This regimen was notably studied by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven in a split-body clinical trial design to evaluate its efficacy in maintaining the patency of the lacrimal drainage system during antineoplastic treatment.

Brand names

MaxidexDiquas

Other names

dexamethasone sodium phosphate + diquafosol tetrasodiumDEX + DIQ