Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in ocular angiogenesis.
VEGF-A is a critical regulator of ocular angiogenesis and vascular permeability and is involved in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases involving neovascularization or increased vascular permeability, such as neovascular AMD, diabetic ME, and diabetic retinopathy. Currently available therapies for neovascular AMD, such as laser photocoagulation, PDT with verteporfin, and pegaptanib sodium, slow visual loss but do not improve vision for most patients. In contrast, an emerging anti-VEGF agent, ranibizumab, improved vision in 25% to 34% of treated patients in one clinical trial, rather than slowing visual loss and is the first treatment for neovascular AMD to demonstrate visual improvement in a substantial number of patients. This represents a major advance in the treatment of ocular diseases involving neovascularization or increased vascular permeability and provides hope to patients with these debilitating diseases. Since the submission of this article, ranibizumab was approved by the FDA for the treatment of neovascular AMD.
Shams
Naveed
N
Ophthalmic Medicine, Genentech, One DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990, USA.
Ianchulev
Tsontcho
T
D000818:Animals; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A