Intravitreal Tanibirumab,a Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody Against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2,Partially Suppresses and Regresses Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization in a Rat Model

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose:

The study investigated the effect of intravitreally administered tanibirumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, in a rat model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods:

CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation on day 0 in the eyes of Brown Norway rats. Intravitreal injection of tanibirumab or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was done on day 0 (prevention arm) or day 7 (treatment arm). Seven days after injection, the eyes were enucleated and retinal pigment epithelium-choroid-sclera flat mounts were prepared. Areas of CNV were determined in the flat mounts using tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS) isolectin labeling and intravenously administered fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran and quantified using an image analysis program.

Results:

In the prevention arm, the mean area of CNV measured by BS isolectin labeling was reduced by 28.2% and 53.9% in tanibirumab-treated eyes (20 and 60 μg, respectively) compared with PBS-treated control eyes on day 7 (P=0.038 and P<0.001, respectively). In the treatment arm, the mean area of CNV measured by BS isolectin labeling was reduced by 28.7% and 46.0% in tanibirumab-treated eyes (20 and 60 μg, respectively) compared with PBS-treated control eyes on day 14 (P=0.048 and P<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions:

Intravitreally administered tanibirumab partially suppressed the formation of new CNV and partially regressed preformed laser-induced CNV in the rat model. Tanibirumab may be a feasible treatment for CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration or other causes.