title: Biological, preclinical and clinical characteristics of inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factors.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of several sight-threatening retinal disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The discovery of anti-VEGF agents has revolutionized our treatment of these conditions. There are 4 anti-VEGF agents that are either approved or in common use in ophthalmology, namely pegaptanib (Macugen, Pfizer), ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis), aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye (EYLEA, Bayer) and bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche). There are differences between them. In this review, the differences are discussed in detail. Furthermore, an attempt is made to explain some of the clinical trial data based on their differences in ocular efficacy, duration of action, and local and systemic safety concerns.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, Headley Way, Oxford, UK. victor.chong @ eye.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000069579:Ranibizumab