title: Novel Therapies in Development for Diabetic Macular Edema.
abstract: Diabetic macular edema (DME) secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause for functional visual loss in the developed world. Laser photocoagulation has been used for decades in the treatment of DME. However, the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) has revolutionized the treatment of DME. Three important anti-VEGF agents whose efficacy has been well established via phase III clinical trials include ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept. However, even in the era of anti-VEGF therapies, there are some challenges that retina specialists have to confront in managing patients with DME. These include the need for frequent treatment and an unpredictable response to therapy. There is evidence to suggest that pathways other than the VEGF pathway may be playing a role in the development of DME. Thus, extensive research is focused on development of novel agents that target these pathways. This review focuses on novel therapeutic agents in development, which may be used as a monotherapy or in combination with anti-VEGF agents, for the management of DME in the future.
authors: Ocular Imaging Research and Reading Center (OIRRC), Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors: Aniruddha
authors: A
authors: Agarwal
authors: Rubbia
authors: R
authors: Afridi
authors: Muhammad
authors: M
authors: Hassan
authors: Mohammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Sadiq
authors: Yasir J
authors: YJ
authors: Sepah
authors: Diana V
authors: DV
authors: Do
authors: Quan Dong
authors: QD
authors: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A