Pegaptanib sodium for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
Pegaptanib sodium, the first aptamer therapeutic approved for use and the first antiangiogenic agent used to treat ocular neovascular disease, acts by inhibiting the 165 isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor believed primarily responsible for pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular permeability.


OBJECTIVE
To briefly present the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety, and role of pegaptanib in treating ocular neovascular diseases.


METHODS
A systematic literature review and synopsis.


CONCLUSIONS
After more than 10 years in development, clinical trials have shown pegaptanib efficacy in treating choroidal neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration. Its excellent ocular and systemic safety profiles have been confirmed in up to 3 years of experience. Early phase, well-controlled studies also suggest therapeutic benefit in diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.
Apte
Rajendra S
RS
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Barnes Retina Institute, St Louis School of Medicine, Washington University, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, PO Box 8096, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Apte@vision.wustl.edu
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib