Molecular targets for retinal vascular diseases.
The elucidation of the molecular pathogenesis of a disease in animal models provides candidate targets for treatment. As specific antagonists for a target are developed and tested in clinical trials, if benefit is achieved, the candidate becomes a validated target. Validated targets stimulate additional research to identify optimal ways of attacking the target and studies in related disease processes to determine if the molecule is also a target in that context. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as a validated target for several retinal vascular diseases. This has led to a flurry of activity resulting in beneficial treatments for patients and intensification of the search for other targets. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical trial results obtained with VEGF antagonists and describes evidence supporting the candidacy of other molecules currently being tested or soon to be tested for target status.
Campochiaro
Peter A
PA
Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-9277, USA. pcampo@jhmi.edu
D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A