Fusion proteins for treatment of retinal diseases: aflibercept, ziv-aflibercept, and conbercept. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Oliveira Dias, João; Andrade, Gabriel; Novais, Eduardo; Farah, Michel; Rodrigues, Eduardo
• Is Part Of: International journal of retina and vitreous. Volume 2:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Fusion proteins -- Aflibercept -- Ziv-aflibercept -- Conbercept -- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -- VEGF Trap Eye; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retina -- Periodicals; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.735
• DOI: 10.1186/s40942-016-0026-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-9920

Abstract

Abstract In the last few years, monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of retinal neovascular diseases. More recently, a different class of drugs, fusion proteins, has provided an alternative treatment strategy with pharmacological differences. In addition to commercially available aflibercept, two other drugs, ziv-aflibercept and conbercept, have been studied in antiangiogenic treatment of ocular diseases. In this scenario, a critical review of the currently available data regarding fusion proteins in ophthalmic diseases may be a timely and important contribution. Aflibercept, previously known as VEGF Trap Eye, is a fusion protein of VEGF receptors 1 and 2 and a treatment for several retinal diseases related to angiogenesis. It has firmly joined ranibizumab and bevacizumab as an important therapeutic option in the management of neovascular AMD-, DME- and RVO-associated macular edema. Ziv-aflibercept, a systemic chemotherapeutic agent approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, has recently drawn attention because of its potential for intravitreal administration, since it was not associated with ERG-related signs of toxicity in an experimental study and in human case reports. Conbercept is a soluble receptor decoy that blocks all isoforms of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and PlGF, which has a high binding affinity for VEGF and a long half-life in vitreous. It has been studied in a phase three clinical trial and has shown efficacy and safety. This review discusses three fusion proteins that have been studied in ophthalmology, aflibercept, ziv-aflibercept and conbercept, with emphasis on their clinical application for the treatment of retinal diseases.