Comparative study of ranibizumab and bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare the effect of subconjunctival injections of ranibizumab and bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization (NV) in rabbits.


METHODS
NV was induced by placing a suture at the corneal periphery of rabbits (n = 30 eyes). Immediately after suturing, the rabbits were divided into 3 groups and 7 days later administered subconjunctival injections of ranibizumab (Lucentis; 0.5 mg/0.05 mL), bevacizumab (Avastin; 5 mg/0.05 mL), or normal saline (control), respectively. The time-course photographs to measure the area of the corneal NV were obtained on days 7, 10, and 14 after suture placement. Histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis for the vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 were performed.


RESULTS
Analysis of digital photographs showed that there was less corneal NV in the ranibizumab- and bevacizumab-treated eyes than in the control eyes (P = 0.012, 1-way analysis of variance); however, no significant differences between the ranibizumab- and bevacizumab-treated eyes were seen. In addition, there was less staining for vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 in the corneas from the ranibizumab-treated eyes and bevacizumab-treated eyes than in the control eyes, and there were no significant differences in the staining intensity between the ranibizumab- and bevacizumab-treated eyes. Subconjunctival ranibizumab and bevacizumab injections were not associated with any complications during observations.


CONCLUSIONS
Subconjunctival administrations of ranibizumab or bevacizumab inhibit corneal NV in rabbits and have equivalent effects on it.
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Mary's Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Eun Kyoung
EK
Kim
Seok Joon
SJ
Kong
Sung Kun
SK
Chung
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D056965:Injections, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D010781:Photography; D011817:Rabbits; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab