Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors: Pharmacological aspects and applications in ophthalmic practices
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in initiating a cascade of reactions important for the normal as well as abnormal angiogenesis. Many of the serious retinal and other ocular disorders are associated with neovascularization and increased capillary permeability. VEGF has...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2013-10-01
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| Series: | Delhi Journal of Ophthalmology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.7869/djo.2013.19 |
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| Summary: | Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in initiating a cascade of reactions important for the normal as well as abnormal angiogenesis. Many of the serious retinal and other ocular disorders are associated with neovascularization and increased capillary permeability. VEGF has been seen to play a major role in the pathogenesis of neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma and other ocular conditions due to neovascularization and increased vascular permeability. Produced by many cells in the eye, VEGF is mainly stimulated by hypoxia and initiates angiogenesis by promoting the mitosis of vascular endothelial cells. It causes the release of nitric oxide from the vascular endothelial cells resulting in vasodilatation. VEGF has hematopoietic effects facilitates monocyte chemotaxis and acts as a survival factor for the endothelial cells. It also breaks down the blood-retinal barrier increasing the capillary permeability. After the introduction of anti-angiogeinic drugs, there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases. Anti-VEGF drugs such as pegaptanib, ranbizumab, bevacizumab and aflibercept have helped in the management of many such disorders. Currently VEGF is one of the most pursued research molecule in ophthalmology and the concerns related to the dosing frequency, the duration of treatment, long term safety and cost of its inhibitors will hopefully be further addressed in the near future with more definite insights about the molecule and the related drugs. |
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| ISSN: | 0972-0200 2454-2784 |