Review

Emerging Therapies for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: State of the Art
Guy Donati

Clinique d'Ophtalmologie de Genève, HUG, Geneva, Switzerland

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2007;221:366-377 (DOI: 10.1159/000107495)

  Key Words

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Verteporfin
• Photodynamic therapy
• Vascular endothelial growth factor
• Pegaptanib
• Ranibizumab
• Cortisones
• Anecortave acetate
• Triamcinolone acetate
• Transpupillary thermotherapy

  Abstract

The cornerstone of pharmacotherapeutic treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. The recently approved pegaptanib sodium, which targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), reduces vision loss in AMD when given by intravitreal injection every 6 weeks. The early promise of monotherapy with the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide has yet to be borne out in larger clinical trials, but outcomes may be improved when it is used in combination with verteporfin therapy. The angiostatic cortisone anecortave acetate was recently reported to have failed to meet the primary efficacy criterion in two large, placebo-controlled trials, and its clinical utility is uncertain. Other potential treatments with varying mechanisms of action are currently under investigation. To date, no agent has been shown to significantly restore lost vision in patients with AMD. Future treatment strategies are likely to include a combination of treatments to better manage AMD-associated choroidal neovascularisation and preserve patients' visual acuity.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Guy Donati, MD
Clinique d'Ophtalmologie de Genève
HUG, Rue Alcide-Jentzer 22
CH-1211 Geneva 14 (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 22 718 79 80, Fax +41 22 735 17 34, E-Mail guy.donati@bluewin.ch

  Article Information

Received: June 23, 2006
Accepted after revision: December 15, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 116