Inhibition of corneal neovascularization after alkali burn: comparison of different doses of bevacizumab in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To compare the effects of different doses of bevacizumab with both saline and dexamethasone on inflammatory angiogenesis in the rat cornea induced by small chemical lesions.

METHODS:

Corneal chemical cauterization was performed on 24 rats. Animals were divided randomly into six groups and received a daily subconjunctival injection for 7 days of: balanced salt solution 0.1 mL or dexamethasone phosphate 4 mg/day or bevacizumab 2.5 mg/day, 3.75 mg/day, 5.0 mg/day or bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day + dexamethasone phosphate 4 mg/day. Clinical examination under slitlamp was performed daily for 7 days to evaluate corneal opacity and vessel size evolution. Computer assisted quantitative image analysis was used to measure the total corneal area covered by neovascularization.

RESULTS:

At final examination, the dexamethasone, bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day and dexamethasone + bevacizumab groups showed a significant lowering in corneal opacity score as compared with control (P = 0.024, P = 0.006 and P = 0.013, respectively). Also, a significant reduction on new vessels size score was observed. Surface of corneal neovascularization was significantly reduced in dexamethasone, bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day and dexamethasone + bevacizumab groups compared with control (P =0.045, P = 0.047 and P = 0.044, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Our study demonstrates the ability of a 5.0 mg/day bevacizumab subconjunctival injection, in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone, to cause a short-term involution of corneal neovascularization after corneal alkali burn. Combination of both of these treatments may have advantages to monotherapy approaches.

• Authors: Louis Hoffart, Frederic Matonti, John Conrath, Laurent Daniel, Bernard Ridings, Guillaume S Masson, Frederic Chavane
• Journal: Clinical & experimental ophthalmology (Clin Exp Ophthalmol) Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 346-52 (May 2010) ISSN: 1442-9071 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 21077280 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alkalies
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Glucocorticoids
• Bevacizumab
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Alkalies (adverse effects)
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Bevacizumab
• Blood Vessels (pathology)
• Burns, Chemical (complications, pathology, prevention & control)
• Cicatrix (etiology)
• Conjunctiva
• Cornea (blood supply, pathology)
• Corneal Opacity (etiology)
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Eye Burns (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Injections, Intraocular
• Male
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (etiology, prevention & control)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred BN
• Treatment Outcome