Christine R Gonzales, MD
In addition to its effect on neovascularization, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases vascular permeability. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a clinical consequence of VEGF overproduction in diabetes, and a significant cause of vision loss. A number of anti-VEGF therapies are currently in clinical trials for DME, including pegaptanib, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab. Recently reported clinical trial results for pegaptanib show that 3-6 injections of 0.3 mg reduce retinal thickness and modestly improve visual acuity in DME (Cunningham ET Jr, et al. A phase II randomized double-masked trial of pegaptanib, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor aptamer, for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. 2005;112:1747-1757.). Clinical trial reports for bevacizumab and ranibizumab in DME are forthcoming.
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