Could a drug used to treat alcohol dependency help patients with a rare eye condition?

University of Birmingham researchers are recruiting patients to a trial exploring whether a drug that has traditionally been used to treat alcohol dependency could help patients with a rare eye condition.

Disulfiram has been in use since the 1950s and was originally developed to treat alcohol dependency.

Scientists are now assessing whether disulfiram could provide benefits for patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid – an autoimmune condition that can cause ocular blistering and scarring.

An initial trial involving 10 patients at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre found that disulfiram reduced levels of an enzyme that scientists believe plays a key role in the scarring process called aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Researchers now aim to recruit a further 20 patients for the second stage of the trial, with early results expected by October 2026.

Dr Kusy Suleiman, of the University of Birmingham research team, highlighted that current treatments for ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid focus on reducing inflammation. He added that one in five patients lose their sight – even when receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

“We still lack effective therapies for the scarring itself,” he said.

It is estimated that only a few hundred people in the UK have ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid. The research team worked alongside the charity PEM Friends while designing the study.

“Our patients helped shape the study,” Suleiman said.

“They advised on the number of clinic visits, follow-up procedures, and sample collection. Their input has been invaluable,” he shared.

In collaboration with Professor Liam Grover and Healome Therapeutics Ltd, the research team is developing a disulfiram-based eye gel to avoid the unwanted side effects that can accompany oral disulfiram, especially if alcohol is consumed.

Study participant, Isobel Davies, who was diagnosed with mucous membrane pemphigoid in her late 30s, is optimistic about the research.

“There are so few treatments that really work. The idea of an eye gel that could prevent or even reverse scarring is incredibly exciting. It could be life-changing for so many people,” she said.