Ziv-aflibercept: A cost-effective, off-label, highly potent antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor

Ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap^® ), a recombinant fusion protein that binds diffusible vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Its molecular structure is the same as aflibercept (Eylea^® ), thus making it an attractive option for the off-label treatment of chorioretinal vascular conditions. Ziv-aflibercept is distributed in 4 and 8 ml vials for intravenous use, and its cost after compounding is similar to bevacizumab. Studies with retinal pigment epithelium cytotoxicity, animal histologic sections and electroretinography have demonstrated its safety, and mathematical modelling combined with over four dozen clinical publications from different ophthalmic centres throughout the world attest to its efficacy. No appreciable differences in visual or anatomic outcomes between 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) and 2.5 mg (1.0 ml) doses have been noted. The long duration of action combined with the low cost make ziv-aflibercept an attractive anti-VEGF treatment option, especially in low- and middle-income countries where its popularity is increasing.