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Comparing Pegaptanib and Triamcinolone Efficacy in the Rat Choroidal Neovascularization Model
Mark H. Criswell, PhD;
Wen-Zheng Hu, MD, PhD;
Timothy J. Steffens, MS, CRA;
Ruihong Li, MD, PhD;
Philippe Margaron, PhD
Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(7):946-952.
Objective To evaluate the prophylactic effect of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium on choroidal neovascularization membrane (CNVM) development and compare its performance with that of triamcinolone acetonide.
Methods In drug-treated and control groups, CNVMs were induced by laser trauma. Immediately after undergoing the laser procedure, animals received intravitreal injections of pegaptanib sodium, 8 or 17 µg; triamcinolone acetonide, 200 µg; or a vehicle solution. After 21 days, fluorescein angiography was performed. The CNVM mean diameters and radial thicknesses were measured histologically.
Results Mean CNVM diameters were 10% to 13% smaller in pegaptanib-treated eyes and 43% smaller in triamcinolone-treated eyes compared with laser-only control eyes. Late-stage fluorescein angiography leakage scores, on a scale of 0 to 3, suggested a statistical difference between triamcinolone- (0.6) and pegaptanib8 µg-treated (1.5) groups compared with the laser-only control group (2.0). The CNVM mean thicknesses were greater in the pegaptanib8 µg- (79 µm) and pegaptanib17 µg-treated (71 µm) groups and significantly smaller in the triamcinolone-treated group (26 µm) compared with the laser-only control group (67 µm).
Conclusion In this animal model of choroidal neovascularization, intravitreal pegaptanib exhibited marginal or no effect on CNVM development; whereas intravitreal triamcinolone evoked robust inhibition of CNVMs.
Clinical Relevance Pegaptanib treatment may be insufficient to prevent CNVM formation.
Author Affiliations: Retina Service Research Laboratories, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (Drs Criswell and Hu and Mr Steffens); and QLT Inc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Drs Li and Margaron).
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