title: Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (avastin) on corneal neovascularization in different rabbit models of corneal angiogenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bevacizumab is a potent recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization (NV) in different rabbit models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several rabbit models of corneal NV were used, including (1) a corneal micropocket assay with VEGF pellet, (2) a corneal micropocket assay with basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) pellets, (3) mechanical limbal injury-induced corneal NV, and (4) an alkali-induced model of corneal NV. Subconjunctival injections of bevacizumab (0.25-2.5 mg) were applied twice per week for 2 to 8 weeks. Digital photographs of the cornea were analyzed to determine the length of corneal NV and the area of cornea covered by NV as a percentage of the total corneal area. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-human IgG antibody labeled with Cy3 was used to determine the detection of intracorneal distribution of bevacizumab after injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab caused significant inhibition of corneal NV formation as measured by length or surface area in all animal models (P<0.05). No significant ocular complications were found. Staining of bevacizumab was found in the corneal stroma for 3 to at least 14 days in the different rabbit models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab is effective in inhibiting corneal NV in several rabbit models. Bevacizumab may diffuse into the corneal stroma and persist for a few days after injection. It may be useful in preventing corneal NV in the acute phase of various kinds of corneal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chung-Tien
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Nien-Ting
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: I-Hua
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Jing-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lu-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Kwan-Rong
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fung-Rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D007267:Injections; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C089187:cyanine dye 3; D000068258:Bevacizumab