Evaluation of a New Potential Bevacizumab Biosimilar in Corneal Neovascularization

To compare the antiangiogenic effects of bevacizumab and a new potential bevacizumab biosimilar (anti-human VEGF GU01) on suture-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rabbits.

CNV was induced in the right eyes of 15 rabbits by placing 7-0 black silk suture in the corneal stroma (3 mm wide and 1-1.5 mm from the superior limbus). All sutures were removed on day 7, and the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. An injection of 0.1 mL balanced salt solution (control group), 2.5 mg/0.1 mL bevacizumab (bevacizumab group), or 2.5 mg/0.1 mL of anti-human VEGF GU01 (potential bevacizumab biosimilar group) was administered subconjunctivally. After suturing, standard corneal images were obtained with a surgical microscope on day 7 (pre-injection) and day 14 (7 days post-injection) to analyze the CNV area, which was calculated in square millimeters using the ImageJ program. On day 14, all animals were sacrificed and corneal specimens were analyzed histopathologically by hematoxylin-eosin staining.

On day 14, the percent reduction in CNV area was significantly greater in the bevacizumab and bevacizumab biosimilar groups compared to the control group (control: 24.6%, bevacizumab: 82.2%, biosimilar: 83.4%; p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the bevacizumab and biosimilar groups with respect to the CNV regression rates (p>0.05).

This experimental study showed that the potential bevacizumab biosimilar anti-human VEGF GU01 was as effective as subconjunctival bevacizumab in the treatment of CNV.