Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Oct 23;45(1):437.
doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03807-9.

Bevacizumab and beyond: investigating the role of combination therapies in the management of retinal diseases

Masoumeh Sadat Hor  1 , Soheila Rahgozar  2 , Zahra Souri  3 , Mohammad Malekahmadi  4
Affiliations
Review

Bevacizumab and beyond: investigating the role of combination therapies in the management of retinal diseases

Masoumeh Sadat Hor et al. Int Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

To provide a narrative overview of the latest laboratory studies and clinical trials investigating the combination of bevacizumab with various supplements, including vitamin D, anti-oxidants, and other intravitreal injectable agents. We examine the potential benefits of these combinations in reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, improving clinical outcomes, and enhancing the overall treatment of retinal diseases. Bevacizumab, a widely used anti-VEGF agent, has demonstrated significant clinical benefits in the treatment of these retinal disorders by inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth and reducing retinal edema. However, its use is associated with several limitations, including intraocular inflammation, systemic side effects, variability in patient responses, and the potential for drug resistance. To overcome these limitations, adjunctive treatment regimens may be necessary to enhance the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab. The retina, as one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body, is highly susceptible to hypoxia, leading to retinal ischemia and subsequent VEGF production. By exploring the synergies between bevacizumab and these supplements, we hope to identify novel therapeutic strategies that can improve patient outcomes and address the unmet needs in the management of retinal disorders.

Keywords: Adjunctive therapy; Bevacizumab; Inflammation; Ischemia; Retinal diseases.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics approval: Not applicable.

References

    1. Ong KL, Stafford LK, McLaughlin SA, Boyko EJ, Vollset SE, Smith AE et al (2023) Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021. Lancet 402(10397):203–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01301-6 - DOI
    1. Thapa R, Bajimaya S, Paudyal G, Khanal S, Tan S, Thapa SS et al (2018) Prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in an elderly population in Nepal: the Bhaktapur retina study. BMC Ophthalmol 18:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-018-0710-9 - DOI
    1. He Q, Xiao L, Shi Y, Li W, Xin X (2023) Natural products: protective effects against ischemia-induced retinal injury. Front Pharmacol 14:1149708. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1149708 - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Klettner A, Kauppinen A, Blasiak J, Roider J, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K (2013) Cellular and molecular mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration: from impaired autophagy to neovascularization. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 45(7):1457–1467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2013.04.013 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rübsam A, Parikh S, Fort PE (2018) Role of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 19(4):942. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19040942 - DOI - PubMed - PMC

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources