Anti-VEGF Drugs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Focus on Dosing Regimen-Related Safety and Efficacy

Drugs Aging. 2023 Nov;40(11):991-1007. doi: 10.1007/s40266-023-01068-8. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of visual impairment and severe visual loss, and can progress to two advanced forms-neovascularization and atrophic. The field of anti-AMD drugs has undergone huge developments in recent years, from single-target intravitreal administration to current clinical studies with multi-target and non-invasive agents, offering interesting new pharmacological opportunities for the treatment of this disease. Hence, we summarize some of the approved anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for neovascular AMD, especially their structural characteristics, clinical manifestations, dosing regimens, and safety issues of the anti-VEGF drugs highlighted. In addition, advances in atrophic AMD drug research are also briefly described.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Choroidal Neovascularization* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Ranibizumab / therapeutic use
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / therapeutic use
  • Visual Acuity
  • Wet Macular Degeneration* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Ranibizumab