Ranibizumab

Abstract

Ranibizumab is the antigen-binding fragment of a recombinant, humanised monoclonal antibody, which binds with high affinity to, and inhibits the activity of, all active forms of vascular endothelial growth factor A, an important mediator in the development of choroidal neovascularisation. Well designed, phase III trials in patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) indicated that monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.3 or 0.5 mg for up to 2 years maintained or improved visual acuity to a greater extent than sham injection, verteporfin photodynamic therapy or sham photodynamic therapy. In patients with predominantly classic wet AMD who received ranibizumab in combination with verteporfin therapy, preliminary results indicate that combination therapy is superior to that of verteporfin therapy alone. Most serious ocular adverse events, which were uncommon, were associated with either the injection procedure or ranibizumab.