Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy

Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy

Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is a medical treatment that inhibits the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a signal protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. This therapy is primarily used in the treatment of various eye diseases and certain types of cancer.

Mechanism of Action

VEGF is a key molecule involved in angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation. In many diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and certain cancers, VEGF is overexpressed, leading to abnormal blood vessel growth. Anti-VEGF therapy works by binding to VEGF molecules, preventing them from interacting with their receptors on the surface of endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting the angiogenesis process.

Clinical Applications

Ophthalmology

In ophthalmology, anti-VEGF therapy is used to treat conditions that involve neovascularization and increased vascular permeability. The most common conditions treated with anti-VEGF agents include:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Anti-VEGF drugs such as ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea) are used to treat the wet form of AMD, which is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Anti-VEGF therapy helps reduce macular edema and prevent vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
• Retinal vein occlusion: This condition can lead to macular edema, and anti-VEGF agents are used to reduce swelling and improve vision.

Oncology

In oncology, anti-VEGF therapy is used to inhibit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients and oxygen. Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF and is used in the treatment of various cancers, including colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.

Common Anti-VEGF Agents

Several anti-VEGF agents are used in clinical practice, including:

• Bevacizumab (Avastin): A monoclonal antibody used in cancer treatment.
• Ranibizumab (Lucentis): A monoclonal antibody fragment used in ophthalmology.
• Aflibercept (Eylea): A fusion protein that acts as a decoy receptor for VEGF.
• Pegaptanib (Macugen): An aptamer that binds to VEGF.

Side Effects

While anti-VEGF therapy is generally well-tolerated, it can have side effects. In ophthalmology, common side effects include eye pain, increased intraocular pressure, and inflammation. In oncology, systemic side effects such as hypertension, proteinuria, and increased risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events may occur.

Also see

• Angiogenesis
• Monoclonal antibody therapy
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy

External

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

• Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia

• Astigmatism

B

• Behçet's Disease* Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy

• Blepharitis* Blepharospasm

C

• Cataracts

• Coloboma

• Color Blindness

• Corneal Conditions

D

• Diabetic Retinopathy

• Dry Eye

F

• Floaters

G

• Glaucoma

I

• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

L

• Low Vision

M

• Macular Edema

• Macular Hole

• Macular Pucker

P

• Pink Eye

R

• Rare Diseases

• Refractive Errors

• Retinal Detachment

• Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Retinoblastoma

• Retinopathy of Prematurity

S

• Stargardt Disease

U

• Usher Syndrome

• Uveitis

V

• Vitreous Detachment