BCKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a central role in the development of retinal neovascularization and diabetic macular edema. There is also evidence suggesting that VEGF is an important stimulator for choroidal neovascularization in aged macular degeneration(AMD). Fumintide (Kanghong Co. Chengdu, P.R.China) is a humanized antibody-liked molecule designed to bind VEGF.This protein was suggested to supress the neovascularizations.
PURPOSE. To study the efficacy of intravitreal injections of fumintide on experimental choroidal neovascularization in the cynomolgus monkey eye.
METHODS. Choroidal neovascularization was induced by laser injury as 5-7 ruptures per eye of Bruch’s membrane in both eyes of cynomolgus monkeys and followed with weekly intravitreal injections of fumintide(640 ug/eye; n= 4/group) or PBS. Photography and fluorescein angiography were carried out three weeks later. Fluorescein angiograms were graded using a masked standardized protocol. The data were analyzed with SPSS10.0.
RESULTS. In the intravitreal injections of PBS control group, strong fluoroscein leakage was seen in 48% laser injury spot(12/25, 4 eyes), but in the fumintide treated group,the ratio decreased significantly to 8.3%(2/24,4 eyes)(p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS. This study demonstrates that fumintide has a strong supression on choroidal neovascularization and profiles its clinical use in treating neovascular AMD .
【Key words】 Choroidal Neovascularization, Fumintide
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