Katarzyna Antoniak, Jerzy Z. Nowak

Bewacizumab (Avastin) w leczeniu wysiękowej postaci związanego z wiekiem zwyrodnienia plamki (AMD)
2008-04-06

Bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of wet form age related macular degeneration (AMD). Ocular neovascularization is the main cause of blindness in patients with wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this review the authors summarize implications of new knowledge for treatment and prevention AMD. It will be presented and discussed clinical effectiveness of "oncological" bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-VEGF agent, used on an off-label basis in clinical ophthalmological practice, in comparison with two anti-VEGF drugs, Macugen (pegaptanib sodium) and Lucentis (ranibizumab), which are officially recommended for treatment of neovascularization due to AMD. Since Macugen and Lucentis are new, recently introduced drugs, there is an important question concerning unwanted and delayed effects linked to such an anti-VEGF therapy, and this issue will be discussed taking into account up-to-now clinical experience with Avastin administered systemically.