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Published on: March 8, 2018
The effect of subconjunctival ranibizumab on corneal and anterior segment neovascularization: study on an animal
Vasilios S Liarakos1, Dimitrios Papaconstantinou, Ioannis Vergados
13 Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam - the Netherlands.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ranibizumab on corneal and anterior segment neovascularization.
Methods:
In this experimental study and laboratory investigation, chemical cauterization was utilized to induce corneal neovascularization in 16 rabbits randomly divided in 2 equal groups. Cauterized eyes were either treated with 0.1 mL (1 mg) of subconjunctival ranibizumab or administered a sham injection. A third group of 4 rabbits served as control for side effects after ranibizumab administration. All animals were monitored daily for 14 days and the extent of corneal scarring and neovascularization was measured on days 1, 7, and 14. After enucleation, ocular tissues were separated under a surgical microscope and VEGF levels were measured with ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the extent of corneal neovascularization and VEGF levels between treated and untreated eyes.
Results:
Subconjunctival ranibizumab inhibited corneal neovascularization significantly both in the first and the second week compared to untreated controls (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively). The VEGF levels were significantly lower in all anterior segment tissues like the cornea, iris, aqueous humor, and conjunctiva of the treated eyes (p<0.01). The reduction of VEGF levels ranged from 19% to 73% in different ocular tissues. Corneal scarring was not significantly affected by anti-VEGF treatment (p = 0.7). No side effects were noticed.
Conclusions:
Early subconjunctival administration of ranibizumab may successfully inhibit alkali-induced corneal neovascularization in an animal model. Subconjunctival ranibizumab reduces VEGF levels significantly not only in the cornea and the bulbar conjunctiva but also in the aqueous humor and the iris.
Insights
Subconjunctival ranibizumab effectively inhibited corneal neovascularization and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in an animal model. This treatment showed no adverse effects, suggesting potential for treating ocular neovascularization.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Corneal neovascularization poses a significant risk for vision impairment.
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies have shown promise in treating various ocular neovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of subconjunctival ranibizumab in inhibiting corneal and anterior segment neovascularization.
- To assess the impact of ranibizumab on VEGF levels within ocular tissues.
Main Methods:
- Corneal neovascularization was induced via chemical cauterization in rabbit models.
- Rabbits received either subconjunctival ranibizumab or a sham injection.
- Corneal neovascularization, scarring, and VEGF levels were measured over 14 days.
Main Results:
- Subconjunctival ranibizumab significantly inhibited corneal neovascularization (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001).
- VEGF levels were significantly reduced in the cornea, iris, aqueous humor, and conjunctiva (p<0.01).
- Ranibizumab did not significantly affect corneal scarring, and no side effects were observed.
Conclusions:
- Early subconjunctival ranibizumab administration is effective in inhibiting alkali-induced corneal neovascularization in an animal model.
- Subconjunctival ranibizumab reduces VEGF levels across multiple anterior segment tissues.
- This approach holds potential for managing ocular neovascularization.
