Effects of Combined Photodynamic Therapy and Topical Bevacizumab Treatment on Corneal Neovascularization in Rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical bevacizumab treatment on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.


METHODS
Corneal neovascularization was induced by placing a suture for 7 days in both eyes of 15 rabbits. After suture removal, the right eyes of the rabbits were divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 5 each): group 1, 5 mg/mL bevacizumab eye drops; group 2, PDT at 150 J/cm; and group 3, combined PDT and topical bevacizumab treatment. All 15 left eyes formed a control group. After 2 weeks of treatment, digital photographs were obtained and analyzed to determine the area of corneal neovascularization. The rabbits were then killed to measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in corneal tissues.


RESULTS
The corneal neovascularization area after treatment was significantly smaller in the 3 treatment groups compared with that in the control group. A significant difference was observed between groups 1 and 2 and group 3, but not between groups 1 and 2. VEGF levels were significantly lower in groups 1 and 3 than in the control group. Although group 2 exhibited relatively higher VEGF levels compared with the control group, the difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that combined PDT and topical bevacizumab treatment is significantly more effective than monotherapy for the treatment of corneal neovascularization in rabbits. Such quantitative comparison in the laboratory is believed to provide the theoretical basis for clinical application of combined PDT and topical bevacizumab treatment.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Rae Young
RY
Kim
Sung Kun
SK
Chung
Man Soo
MS
Kim
Ho
H
Ra
D000287:Administration, Topical; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077362:Verteporfin
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077362:Verteporfin; D000068258:Bevacizumab