Neovascular AMD: Bevacizumab Injection Increases Angiogenic Biomarkers

Dr. Thiago Cabral

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is induced by the development of new abnormal ‘leaky’ blood vessels in the choroid and retina, when the balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors is upset. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a critical modulator of angiogenesis and is related to induction of endothelial cell migration and proliferation after hypoxia. The development of anti-VEGF agents, such as bevacizumab (Avastin®), ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and aflibercept (Eylea®), revolutionized the treatment of nAMD.

A Biomarker could predict response of intravitreal injections in Diabetic Macular Edema

(c) OMICS

Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital have found an association with a biomarker from aqueous fluid in the eye that predicts which patients will respond best to current treatments for diabetic macular edema. Their findings suggest this biomarker may be not only a marker of disease severity and anatomic response but also a potential therapeutic target in DME, recognizing that in patients with DME, there is not always a direct correlation between anatomic and visual acuity response.

RG7716 improves visual acuity in subjects with Diabetic Macular Edema in a Phase 2 study

(c)Pharmacodia.com

Genentech announced results from the Phase II BOULEVARD study, which is evaluating subjects with vision loss from diabetic macular edema (DME), where treatment with intravitreal RG7716 was observed to be clinically meaningful and statistically significant in improvement of visual acuity gains compared with ranibizumab alone.

Researchers identify a key protein in Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a protein, ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), which is crucial for the development of diabetic retinopathy. Published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, they identified a compound, NAV-2729, which inhibits or blocks ARF6, reducing the chances of development of diabetic retinopathy.

Is Avastin better than Lucentis for AMD?

A group of researchers from China have evaluated randomized controlled clinical trials from around the world to study the efficacy and safety of Avastin^tm (bevacizumab) versus Lucentis^tm (ranibizumab) in wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Increased lucentis dose does not offer additional benefit in retinal venous occlusions

from Wikipedia

Increasing the dose of ranibizumab (lucentis) did not offer any additional benefit in eyes with retinal vein occlusion, neither did laser photocoagulation improve vision or reduce edema significantly more than ranibizumab, according to the results of the RELATE study presented in Macula 2015.