Novel approaches in the treatment of angiogenic eye disease

Abstract

Angiogenic eye disease is among the most common causes of blindness worldwide. Current treatment approaches are insufficiently effective and partially associated with significant adverse effects. From an investigational view, the eye provides an ideal setting to observe real-time and serial observations of angiogenesis in vivo in humans. The current understanding of molecular biology involved in angiogenesis has already led to the identification of a number of potential therapeutic targets, some of them being highly effective angiostatic molecules. Most experimental approaches currently favour or even require the systemic administration of the investigated substances (somatostatin analogues, PKC-inhibitors). However, the systemic administration of bioactive substances always risks significant systemic adverse effects. Due to the morphological characteristics of the eye, local therapies including intraocular injection or even local gene transfer might be feasible. They might provide a valuable opportunity of targeted and sustained delivery of therapeutic proteins to the retina. This review aims to outline the current understanding of the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and will focus on some as yet experimental, but potentially effective new therapeutic possibilities of this disease.