[Localisation of bevacizumab in the monkey retina after an intravitreal injection of Avastin].
BACKGROUND
The aim was to investigate to what extent the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab is able to penetrate the retina in primates after an intravitreal injection of Avastin.


METHODS
Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were injected intravitreally with radioactively labelled and free Avastin. The animals were sacrificed 1, 4, 7, or 14 days after the injection, and the eyes were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Blood samples were also taken on several days.


RESULTS
In the fundoscopic images, no pathologic changes could be found during the experiment. Using immunohistochemistry, bevacizumab was found in the choroid and the inner layers of the retina 1 day after the injection. Bevacizumab penetrated more quickly in the fovea than in the rest of the retina. It was also encountered in the photoreceptors and blood vessels. When (125)I-labelled Avastin was used, radioactivity could be determined in the blood serum 1 day after the injection.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that the bevacizumab molecule can penetrate the retina after intravitreal injection of Avastin. However, there is an active uptake in the retinal cells.
Schraermeyer
U
U
Sektion für experimentelle vitreoretinale Chirurgie, Tübingen, Schleichstrasse 12/1, 72076 Tübingen. ulrich.schraermeyer@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Heiduschka
P
P
Bartz-Schmidt
K U
KU
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007267:Injections; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab
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