Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Characterization of Vascular Morphology of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Indocyanine Green Angiography
05:14

Characterization of Vascular Morphology of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Indocyanine Green Angiography

Published on: August 11, 2023

Emerging roles for antiangiogenesis factors in management of ocular disease

Muhammad Usman Saeed1, Evangelia Gkaragkani, Kashif Ali

  • 1The Sutton Eye Unit, Epsom and St Helier's University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.

Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|March 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies, initially for colon cancer, now treat various conditions like macular degeneration across all ages, impacting healthcare resources.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The first antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy was developed for colonic carcinomas.
  • The scope and indications for anti-VEGF therapies have significantly expanded since their initial development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolution and impact of anti-VEGF therapies.
  • To highlight the broad range of applications and patient populations treated with anti-VEGFs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of anti-VEGF therapy development and application.
  • Analysis of clinical impact and resource utilization.

Main Results:

  • Anti-VEGF therapies have revolutionized treatments for exudative macular degeneration.
  • These therapies are now used across all age groups, from infants (retinopathy of prematurity) to the elderly (exudative macular degeneration).
  • The widespread use of anti-VEGFs has led to increased patient numbers and significant financial impact on healthcare resources.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-VEGF therapies represent a major advancement in treating various conditions beyond cancer.
  • Their broad applicability and efficacy necessitate careful consideration of healthcare resource allocation.
Keywords:
afliberceptbevacizumabindicationspegaptanibranibizumabretina

Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...