title: Comparing pegaptanib and triamcinolone efficacy in the rat choroidal neovascularization model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prophylactic effect of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium on choroidal neovascularization membrane (CNVM) development and compare its performance with that of triamcinolone acetonide.
  
  
  METHODS
  In drug-treated and control groups, CNVMs were induced by laser trauma. Immediately after undergoing the laser procedure, animals received intravitreal injections of pegaptanib sodium, 8 or 17 mug; triamcinolone acetonide, 200 mug; or a vehicle solution. After 21 days, fluorescein angiography was performed. The CNVM mean diameters and radial thicknesses were measured histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean CNVM diameters were 10% to 13% smaller in pegaptanib-treated eyes and 43% smaller in triamcinolone-treated eyes compared with laser-only control eyes. Late-stage fluorescein angiography leakage scores, on a scale of 0 to 3, suggested a statistical difference between triamcinolone- (0.6) and pegaptanib(8 microg)-treated (1.5) groups compared with the laser-only control group (2.0). The CNVM mean thicknesses were greater in the pegaptanib(8 microg)- (79 microm) and pegaptanib(17 microg)-treated (71 microm) groups and significantly smaller in the triamcinolone-treated group (26 microm) compared with the laser-only control group (67 microm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this animal model of choroidal neovascularization, intravitreal pegaptanib exhibited marginal or no effect on CNVM development; whereas intravitreal triamcinolone evoked robust inhibition of CNVMs. Clinical Relevance Pegaptanib treatment may be insufficient to prevent CNVM formation.
authors.affiliation: Retina Service Research Laboratories, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5175, USA. mcriswel@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Criswell
authors.forename: Wen-Zheng
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.forename: Ruihong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margaron
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007267:Injections; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide