Abstract
Neovascularization is a common and potentially visually threatening complication of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). An antiangiogenic therapy is aimed at inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels and should prevent onset or progression of neovascularization. Accumulated evidence indicates that growth factors, endothelial cell surface receptors, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are major mediators of neovascularization and appealing targets for pharmacotherapeutical intervention. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization (in linking tissue ischemia to angiogenesis), and is likely to contribute also significantly to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Several antineovascular agents antagonize the function of VEGF, by blocking its proangiogenic activity. Indeed, VEGF targeting or disruption of VEGF signalling is the most effective strategy known so far in the pharmacological treatment of ocular neovascularization. Other compounds such as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) either aim at balancing the levels of pro-angiogenic and angiostatic molecules, target inflammation (cyclooxygenase inhibitors, steroids) or comprise modifiers of the ECM such as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and agents that block the action of integrins. Vascular targeting agents (combretastatin) promote removal of newly formed vessels. This review provides an update on recent investigations directed at the pharmacotherapeutical management of ocular neovascular diseases, placing special emphasis on the underlying target molecules and relevant intracellular signalling pathways.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, pharmacotherapy, retina, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Antineovascular Agents in the Treatment of Eye Diseases
Volume: 12 Issue: 21
Author(s): Wolfram Eichler, Yousef Yafai, Peter Wiedemann and Dorte Fengler
Affiliation:
Keywords: Angiogenesis, pharmacotherapy, retina, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration
Abstract: Neovascularization is a common and potentially visually threatening complication of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). An antiangiogenic therapy is aimed at inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels and should prevent onset or progression of neovascularization. Accumulated evidence indicates that growth factors, endothelial cell surface receptors, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are major mediators of neovascularization and appealing targets for pharmacotherapeutical intervention. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization (in linking tissue ischemia to angiogenesis), and is likely to contribute also significantly to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Several antineovascular agents antagonize the function of VEGF, by blocking its proangiogenic activity. Indeed, VEGF targeting or disruption of VEGF signalling is the most effective strategy known so far in the pharmacological treatment of ocular neovascularization. Other compounds such as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) either aim at balancing the levels of pro-angiogenic and angiostatic molecules, target inflammation (cyclooxygenase inhibitors, steroids) or comprise modifiers of the ECM such as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and agents that block the action of integrins. Vascular targeting agents (combretastatin) promote removal of newly formed vessels. This review provides an update on recent investigations directed at the pharmacotherapeutical management of ocular neovascular diseases, placing special emphasis on the underlying target molecules and relevant intracellular signalling pathways.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Eichler Wolfram, Yafai Yousef, Wiedemann Peter and Fengler Dorte, Antineovascular Agents in the Treatment of Eye Diseases, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2006; 12 (21) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777698729
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206777698729 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
The Clinical Applications of Intranasal Opioids
Current Drug Delivery Myocardial Infarction after Rituximab Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is there a Link?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Chemistry and Biology of Indoles and Indazoles: A Mini-Review
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Adverse Drug Reactions in Critical Care Settings: A Systematic Review
Current Drug Safety VEGF Inhibitors in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Therapies and Future Perspectives
Current Clinical Pharmacology Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs During Pregnancy. Their Effects on the Mother and Offspring
Current Women`s Health Reviews Lysine-derived Alkaloids: Overview and Update on Biosynthesis and Medicinal Applications with Emphasis on Quinolizidine Alkaloids
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Challenges in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Inflammation in Hypertension: Targeting Lipid Mediators Unbalance and Nitrosative Stress
Current Hypertension Reviews Long-Term Effects of Perinatal Glucocorticoid Treatment on the Heart
Current Pediatric Reviews Therapeutic Targeting of CD6 in Autoimmune Diseases: A Review of Cuban Clinical Studies with the Antibodies IOR-T1 and Itolizumab
Current Drug Targets The Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Acute Kidney Injury: Angel or Evil?
Current Protein & Peptide Science Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of the Disease State, Current Therapeutics and their Molecular Mechanisms of Action
Current Medicinal Chemistry Development of Proteinase-Activated Receptor 1 Antagonists as Therapeutic Agents for Thrombosis, Restenosis and Inflammatory Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current HIV Treatment Guidelines - An Overview
Current Pharmaceutical Design Safety and Efficacy of Melatonin in Pediatric Migraine Prophylaxis
Current Drug Safety Monoclonal Antibodies in Rare Acquired Thrombotic Disorders: The Paradigms of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Current Vascular Pharmacology Sarcolemmal K<sub>ATP</sub> Channel Modulators and Cardiac Arrhythmias
Current Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacokinetic Drug-drug Interaction of Antibiotics Used in Sepsis Care in China
Current Drug Metabolism Imidazole Scaffold Based Compounds in the Development of Therapeutic Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry