Lifitegrast Sodium

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The sodium salt form of lifitegrast, a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antagonist, that can be used as an ophthalmic solution for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; dry eye syndrome). Upon ocular administration and although the exact mechanism of action of lifitegrast in DED is not fully known, lifitegrast targets and binds to the integrin LFA-1, a cell surface protein found on leukocytes. This prevents the interaction of LFA-1 with its cognate ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). As ICAM-1 may be overexpressed in corneal and conjunctival tissues in DED, the blockage of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction by lifitegrast may inhibit T-cell adhesion to ICAM-1 and may abrogate the formation of an immunological synapse. This may prevent T-cell proliferation, activation and migration and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the corneal and conjunctival tissues. This may reduce inflammation, protect the corneal surface from inflammatory-mediated damage and reduce the symptoms of DED.

**Synonyms:** - LIFITEGRAST SODIUM