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Angiogenesis is the formation or growth of new blood vessels. In the most severe form
of age-related macular degeneration (known as "wet" ARMD) abnormal angiogenesis occurs under the retina resulting in irreversible loss of vision. The loss of vision is due
to scarring of the retina secondary to the bleeding from the new blood vessels. Only 10% of patients with age-related macular degeneration will grow abnormal blood vessels under their
retinas and thus progress from the "dry" form to the "wet" form of ARMD. Current treatments for "wet" ARMD utilize laser based therapy to
destroy offending blood vessels. However, this treatment is not optimal since the laser can permanently scar the overlying retina and the offending blood vessels often regrow.
Recently, new trials have begun to investigate if angiogenesis inhibitors can effectively inhibit the growth of new vessels in age-related macular degeneration. The following is a
list of companies with angiogenesis inhibitors in clinical trials: 1) Alcon: Anecortave acetate given by periocular injection.
2) Agouron: Prinomastat given orally.
3) Genentech: Anti-VEGF antibody given by intravitreal injection.
4) NeXstar/EyeTech: Anti-VEGF aptamer (NX-1838) given by intravitreal injection. |
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