title: Aflibercept: A Review of Its Use in the Management of Diabetic Eye Complications.
abstract: Aflibercept is the most recently approved vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitor for the management of diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of aflibercept in the management of diabetic eye complications and to describe its place in therapy. Anti-VEGF agents have been noted in clinical trials to be superior to laser photocoagulation, the standard therapy ( P < .0001, P ≤ .0085, respectively). Aflibercept has been comparatively studied with other anti-VEGF agents, namely, bevacizumab and ranibizumab, and noted to be equally efficacious and safe in patients with mild visual acuity loss ( P > .50). However, in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema having moderate to severe visual acuity loss, aflibercept outperformed the other 2 anti-VEGF agents (aflibercept vs bevacizumab, P < .001; aflibercept vs ranibizumab, P = .003). However, additional studies are needed to fully appreciate the long-term safety and efficacy of aflibercept and the anti-VEGF therapy class.
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy Sciences, Howard University College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Oluwaranti
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akiyode
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy Sciences, Howard University College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Jateh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Major
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy Sciences, Howard University College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Abiola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ojo
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
keywords: ambulatory care; endocrinology