The importance of basic research and drug development for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy / 中华实验眼科杂志

ABSTRACT

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an organ specific autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis.In recent years, great progress has been made in the pathogenesis of TAO primarily in immune and molecular mechanism aspects, including related autoantigens, lymphocytes, inflammatory factors, and autoimmune target tissue, that is, the role and biological behavior of orbital fibroblasts.Accordingly, various biological agents and immunosuppressive agents have emerged in an endless stream and have shown good effects and safety in clinical trials.Some important researches seem to be promising, but many novel therapies still are not extensively applied in clinical practice up to now.Therefore, it is of great significance to strengthen the basic research of TAO, fully understand its pathogenesis, research and develop more targeting drugs and precise clinical diagnosis and management of TAO, as well as improve the prognosis of patients.