title: RNA interference technology for anti-VEGF treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overexpression of VEGF has been identified to be associated with many pathologic processes such as tumors and retinopathy. Inhibiting uncontrolled growth of VEGF is a promising strategy to treat these diseases. Currently small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are the primary treatment. However, complex development, short half-life, limited effectiveness and potential systemic side effects limited their applications. Highly effective and safe therapeutic technologies are highly desirable to meet the growing clinical needs. RNA interference (RNAi) technology, inhibits special gene activity at the post transcriptional level and reduces the expression of relevant proteins, holding great potential due to its easy design and high efficacy. Some molecules based on RNAi have been investigating in different clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, we review and consider current advances in the application of RNAi technology and potential future clinical strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RNAi technology has a promising future in anti-VEGF treatment, most of the investigations are encouraging and exciting. More anti-VEGF candidates will enter clinical trials and may be a novel therapeutic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology , 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200092 , People's Republic of China +86 21 65790000 ; +86 21 65790000 ; zhenguoliu2004@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Liuqing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhenguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Weien
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D034622:RNA Interference; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: RNA interfering; VEGF; age-related macular degeneration; angiogenesis; anti-VEGF; gene delivery; small interfering RNA; tumor