Treatment of Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration: Focus on Aflibercept

Drugs Aging. 2015 Oct;32(10):797-807. doi: 10.1007/s40266-015-0300-y.

Abstract

A formulation of aflibercept for intravitreal injection (Eylea) is approved for the treatment of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aflibercept has a significantly higher affinity for Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A compared with other monoclonal anti-VEGF antibodies. In addition to binding all VEGF-A isoforms, aflibercept also blocks other proangiogenic factors such as VEGF-B and placental growth factor. The VIEW 1 and 2 trials showed this drug achieves improved results in patients with exudative AMD similar to those obtained with monthly ranibizumab, using a bimonthly treatment regimen after a loading dose of three intravitreal injections, which translates to less use of healthcare resources. There is a subgroup of patients that present with persistent fluid after the loading dose that could benefit from monthly injections or personalized proactive treatment after the first year. In the second year of treatment, the Treat and Extend patterns can permit even more lengthening of the time between injections. More data are needed to confirm the optimal monitoring and retreatment dosing, to maintain long-term efficacy. Other preliminary data suggest that patients that do not respond to other anti-angiogenics and patients with special pathologies such as polypoidal choroidopathy or retinal angiomatous proliferation can improve upon switching to aflibercept. To date, the safety profile of aflibercept is excellent and is comparable to other anti-angiogenic treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / pathology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ranibizumab / administration & dosage
  • Ranibizumab / adverse effects
  • Ranibizumab / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / adverse effects
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / metabolism
  • Wet Macular Degeneration / pathology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Ranibizumab