Efficacy of topical aflibercept versus topical bevacizumab for the prevention of corneal neovascularization in a rat model. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sella, Ruti; Gal-Or, Orly; Livny, Eitan; Dachbash, Mor; Nisgav, Yael; Weinberger, Dov; Livnat, Tami; Bahar, Irit
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 146(2016:May)
• Page Start: 224
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Aflibercept -- Bevacizumab -- Topical treatment -- Chemical burn -- Corneal neovascularization; NDS normal donkey serum -- PFA paraformaldehyde -- PBS phosphate-buffered saline -- VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.03.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this experimental study was to compare the efficacy of topical aflibercept and topical bevacizumab in preventing corneal neovascularization. A chemical burn was created in the right central cornea of male Sprague–Dawley rats, followed immediately by instillation of one drop (25 mg/ml, 20 μl volume) of aflibercept (15 eyes), bevacizumab (14 eyes), or saline (15 eyes). Treatment was repeated twice daily for 7 days. Corneal neovascularization was determined using corneal photographs (ImageJ) on days 1, 4, 7, 10, and histological and immunofluorescence studies, on day 10. Stromal immunoreactivity was evaluated 2 days after injury in 6 rats treated singly with bevacizumab or aflibercept. Corneal neovascularization was observed clinically on day 4 in all groups. In the aflibercept group, the area of neovascularization increased from 7.38 ± 2.23% on day 4 to 21.73 ± 14.59% on day 7 and 31.0 ± 23.61% on day 10. Corresponding values in the bevacizumab group were 6.04% ± 1.81%, 51.27 ± 15.50%, and 54.4 ± 11.33%, and in the control group, 8.99 ± 1.93%, 42.6 ± 19.59%, and 55.15 ± 11.54%. The area of neovascularization was significantly smaller on days 7 and 10 in the aflibercept group than in the control and bevacizumab groups ( P < 0.001, all analyses), with no significant differences between the latter two groups (day 7, P = 0.868; day 10, P = 0.213). Clinical findings were compatible with the histological data and supported by immunofluorescence and corneal flat-mount staining. Both drugs demonstrated variable penetration into the corneal stroma. Topical aflibercept effectively inhibits corneal neovascularization in a rat model of chemical burn. These findings may have important therapeutic implications for humans. Highlights: We induced corneal neovascularization in the eyes of Sprague–Dawley rats. Rat eyes were treated twice daily with topical aflibercept for a week. Topical aflibercept treatment was compared to topical bevacizumab and saline. We show topical aflibercept can prevent corneal neovascularization in this model. Aflibercept was found superior to both bevacizumab and saline.