title: Aflibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye) for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: Aflibercept, a soluble receptor molecule that binds VEGF, has been recently approved for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration. This fusion protein with binding sequences from VEGF receptors 1 and 2 possesses high binding affinity for isomers of VEGF-A, VEGF-B and PlGF, and prevents VEGF from initiating proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells. Phase III trials showed that intravitreal aflibercept given monthly or every 2 months produces visual improvement and decrease in macular thickness comparable with monthly ranibizumab. The second year of the trials demonstrated that as-needed aflibercept maintained vision with few required injections. Aflibercept promises to decrease the treatment burden faced by patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Mayo College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA. stewart.michael@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C533178:aflibercept; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor