Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly worldwide. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections remain the first-line therapy for AMD. However, their high cost and the need for frequent administration pose challenges to long-term adh...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1507860/full |
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| author | Yating Zhou Fei Xue |
| author_facet | Yating Zhou Fei Xue |
| author_sort | Yating Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly worldwide. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections remain the first-line therapy for AMD. However, their high cost and the need for frequent administration pose challenges to long-term adherence, highlighting the need for accessible and cost-effective preventive strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that traditional antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones, may offer neuroprotective benefits, opening new avenues for AMD prevention. Among these, metformin has emerged as the most promising candidate, demonstrating significant potential in reducing AMD risk, even at low cumulative doses, primarily through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Sulfonylureas, although effective in stimulating insulin secretion, carry risks such as hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and a possible association with increased cancer risk. Similarly, thiazolidinediones, while improving insulin sensitivity, are associated with adverse effects, including cardiovascular risks and macular edema, limiting their broader application in AMD prevention. This paper explores the preventive potential and underlying mechanisms of these antidiabetic drugs in AMD and discusses the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing individualized prevention strategies. By advancing precision medicine, these approaches may improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of aging-related vision loss. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d0ef02f93cd4a83b524fcff4620b1cc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d0ef02f93cd4a83b524fcff4620b1cc2025-08-20T01:56:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122024-12-011510.3389/fphar.2024.15078601507860Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degenerationYating ZhouFei XueAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly worldwide. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections remain the first-line therapy for AMD. However, their high cost and the need for frequent administration pose challenges to long-term adherence, highlighting the need for accessible and cost-effective preventive strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that traditional antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones, may offer neuroprotective benefits, opening new avenues for AMD prevention. Among these, metformin has emerged as the most promising candidate, demonstrating significant potential in reducing AMD risk, even at low cumulative doses, primarily through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Sulfonylureas, although effective in stimulating insulin secretion, carry risks such as hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and a possible association with increased cancer risk. Similarly, thiazolidinediones, while improving insulin sensitivity, are associated with adverse effects, including cardiovascular risks and macular edema, limiting their broader application in AMD prevention. This paper explores the preventive potential and underlying mechanisms of these antidiabetic drugs in AMD and discusses the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing individualized prevention strategies. By advancing precision medicine, these approaches may improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of aging-related vision loss.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1507860/fullage-related macular degeneration (AMD)antidiabetic drugsmetforminAMPK activationprecision medicine |
| spellingShingle | Yating Zhou Fei Xue Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration Frontiers in Pharmacology age-related macular degeneration (AMD) antidiabetic drugs metformin AMPK activation precision medicine |
| title | Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration |
| title_full | Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration |
| title_fullStr | Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration |
| title_short | Revolutionary drug repositioning: the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age-related macular degeneration |
| title_sort | revolutionary drug repositioning the preventive and therapeutic potential of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs in age related macular degeneration |
| topic | age-related macular degeneration (AMD) antidiabetic drugs metformin AMPK activation precision medicine |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1507860/full |
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