The role of angiogenesis in the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: impact of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment.

Abstract

Although cellular and molecular bases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy are only partially understood, it is evident that this complication of diabetes is characterized by the formation of new vessels inside the retina showing abnormal architecture and permeability. This process, if not controlled by selective laser photocoagulation, leads to irreversible retinal damages and loss of vision. Angiogenesis, that is, the condition characterized by the growth of new blood vessels originated from preexisting ones, was shown to have a major role in the pathogenesis of proliferative retinopathy and, as a consequence, intravitreal antiangiogenic injection was suggested as a feasible treatment for this disease. Here, we describe the different antiangiogenic approaches used to treat this disease along with the respective advantages and limitations when compared to laser treatment. Altogether, even though further and longer studies are still needed to clarify the best possible therapeutic protocol, the antiangiogenic treatment will reasonably have a future role in the therapy and prevention of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

• Authors: Gemma Tremolada, Claudia Del Turco, Rosangela Lattanzio, Silvia Maestroni, Anna Maestroni, Francesco Bandello, Gianpaolo Zerbini
• Journal: Experimental diabetes research (Exp Diabetes Res) Vol. 2012 Pg. 728325 ( 2012) ISSN: 1687-5303 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22566995 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Retinal Neovascularization (drug therapy)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)