Inhibition of experimental corneal neovascularization by using subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (Avastin).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab (Avastin) administration on corneal neovascularization (NV) in rabbits.


METHODS
NV was induced by placing a suture at the corneal periphery of the right eye of 20 rabbits. Immediately after suturing and again 1 week later, rabbits were divided into 2 groups and administered a subconjunctival injection of normal saline (control) or bevacizumab (Avastin; 5 mg/0.2 mL), respectively. On day 14, digital photographs of the cornea were taken and analyzed to determine the area of the cornea covered by NV. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in corneal tissue.


RESULTS
Analysis of digital photographs showed that there was less corneal NV in bevacizumab-treated eyes than in controls (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, there was less staining for VEGF and CD31 in corneas from bevacizumab-treated eyes than in control eyes. Subconjunctival bevacizumab injections were not associated with any complications during observation.


CONCLUSIONS
Subconjunctival bevacizumab administration decreased suture-induced corneal neovascularization in rabbits.
Kim
Tae-Im
TI
Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Sang Woo
SW
Kim
Sunwoong
S
Kim
Terry
T
Kim
Eung Kweon
EK
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003228:Conjunctiva; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007267:Injections; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab