Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to be a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The neovascular form of the disease can lead to rapid and progressive vision loss. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has emerged as a key target of treatment, with inhibitors of VEGF being shown to arrest the angiogenic process and avoid the visual damage typically associated with its presence.
Areas covered: This manuscript reviews the treatment history for wet AMD and examines aflibercept , a new, fully human, recombinant fusion protein designed to bind all isoforms of VEGF-A, as well as placental growth factor (PGF), thereby inhibiting the binding and activation of VEGF receptors.
Expert opinion: The results of Phase I, II and III studies have proven aflibercept to be a safe and effective treatment for wet AMD. Recent results of Phase III studies demonstrate the efficacy of aflibercept, dosed every 8 weeks after three initial monthly doses, and show that this regimen is clinically equivalent to monthly ranibizumab therapy. Eylea™ (aflibercept) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of wet AMD on 18 November 2011.