Selective and pan-blockade agents in the anti-angiogenic treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a literature summary.
Diabetes mellitus is a major health concern in the modern world. Several sight-threatening ocular conditions are included in the array of health problems associated with this disease. Understandably, 2 of the more sight-threatening problems, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), have received a great deal of attention in recent years. Pivotal studies, such as the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and the Diabetic Retinopathy Study, have established laser photocoagulation as the accepted treatment modality. The last decade has seen a surge in clinical data supporting the use of pharmacologic therapy in place of the often damaging laser therapy. Supporting data are based on the establishment of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a key facilitator of disease progression in diabetic retinopathy. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both selective and pan-blockade anti-VEGF agents available today in an effort to help guide physicians wishing to use these agents to treat PDR and DME.
Giuliari
Gian Paolo
GP
Massachusetts Eye and Research Surgery Institution, Cambridge, Mass., USA. gpgiuliari@gmail.com
Guel
D Aaron
DA
Cortez
Maria Angelica
MA
Cortez
Rafael T
RT
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab