Intraocular bevacizumab levels 24 hours after intravitreal injection in a normal eye.
BACKGROUND
To determine intraocular levels of bevacizumab in a normal eye 24 hours after the injection of bevacizumab into the vitreous cavity.


METHODS
Fluid and tissue samples were analyzed for unbound bevacizumab levels using microsphere immunoassays.


RESULTS
After a loading dose of 2.5 mg (0.1 mL) of bevacizumab, levels of unbound drug could be detected in all tissue extracts 24 hours after its injection. At least 60.2% of the injected bevacizumab could be accounted for in this study. Levels of 0.06 mg (2.4%) of bevacizumab were recorded in the choroid.


CONCLUSIONS
At 24 hours, unbound bevacizumab levels can be detected at the level of the choroid. Therefore, bevacizumab can reach the site where choroidal neovascularization develops. This explains its reported therapeutic effect.
From the *Department of Ophthalmology, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland; †Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York; and ‡Department of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York.
Patrick
P
Talty
Marie
M
Hickey-Dwyer
Susan J
SJ
Wong
Karen E
KE
Kulas
Paul M
PM
Beer