The therapeutic effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was determined by a number of factors. Comprehensive thorough analysis of clinical features, imaging results and treatment response can predict the potential efficacy and possible vision recovery for the patient, and also can optimize the treatment regime to make a personalized therapy plan. Precise medicine with data from genomics, proteomics and metabolomics study will provide more objective and accurate biology basis for individual precise treatment. The future research should focus on comprehensive assessment of factors affecting the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy, to achieve individualized precise diagnosis and treatment, to improve the therapeutic outcome of nAMD.
Objective To evaluate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on tumor angiogenesis, and its usage in tumor therapy.Methods The recent literatures about VEGF and angiogenesis were reviewed and analyzed. The advances of VEGF study were summarized. The effects of anti-angiogenesis in tumor biological therapy were introduced.Results Angiogenesis had been identified as an important factor for promoting tumor growth. VEGF was a basic and pivotal factor in tumor angiogenesis. The anti-angiogenesis treatments aimed at VEGF, including the applications of VEGF inhibitor and gene therapy of adenovirus medium, had got great progress. Conclusion VEGF is a leading factor of tumor angiogenesis, the anti-angiogenesis therapy aimed at VEGF has probably provided a new chance to malignant tumor treatment.
For choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia, intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF has been widely used in clinic and achieved good outcome. However, due to the differences in the demographic characteristics, stages of disease progression and treatment procedure of CNV, the prognosis of the disease is variable. Complete ellipsoid band, smaller baseline choroidal neovascularization and better baseline vision are important predictors of good outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Chorioretinal atrophy or complications related to pathologic myopia indicate a poor prognosis. The influence of age, race, previous photodynamic therapy and early treatment on the prognosis of treatment need to be further studied.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) during one year period. MethodsThe data of 31 eyes from 31 consecutive patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO during one year follow-up visit were retrospectively analyzed. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR was (0.74±0.36) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was (484.48±164.81)μm at baseline. All patients received standardized clinical comprehensive examinations including vision, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography for diagnosis before treatment. All patients received intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab (0.05 ml) at first visit. The continue PRN treatment were based on the visual acuity changes and the optical coherence tomography findings. Eyes received combined triamcinolone acetonide 0.05 ml (40 mg/ml) and ranibizumab for macular edema recurrence after two injections of ranibizumab and received laser photocoagulation during 10-14 days after third injections of ranibizumab. Mean injection of ranibizumab was 3.52±2.01, 15 eyes with triamcinolone acetonide (0.84±1.21), 21 eyes with laser photocoagulation (0.97±0.95) and 12 eyes with three treatment. Compared the visual acuities and CRTs of the first and the last visits by statistical analysis. ResultsMean visual acuity improved significantly to 0.42±0.33 logMAR (t=6.611, P=0.000). Mean improvement of visual acuity was 2.90±3.07 lines. A gain of three or more logarithmic lines was evaluated in 20/31 eyes (64.52%) at the last visit. Mean CRT was (326.19±117.80)μm (t=4.514, P=0.000).Mean reduction of CRT was (333.58±134.17)μm. A decrease of 100μm of CRT was evaluated in 17/31 eyes (54.84%). No severe ocular and systematic side effect was found. ConclusionThe efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to BRVO were assured.
The present paper aims to investigate whether or not vasculogenic mimicry (VM) exists in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and to elucidate its relationship to microvessel density (MVD), galectin-3 (Gal-3) expressionb and clinicopathological factors of patients with LSCC. VM, score of MVD and expression of Gal-3 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and histochemistry in 83 specimens of LSCC tissue and 20 specimens of normal laryngeal tissue. The positive rate of VM in normal laryngeal tissues was 0%, and was 33.7% in LSCC tissues. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). VM or MVD was significantly related to differentiation, pTNM stages and lymph node metastasis of LSCC (P<0.05), but not to age, gender and tumor site (P>0.05). And there was a positive correlation between every two of VM, score of MVD, and Gal-3 protein (P<0.05). The results suggest that expression of Gal-3 protein may be related to the initiation, angiogenesis and VM formation in LSCC; And VM, angiogenesis and Gal-3 protein may be involved in the development, invasion and metastasis of LSCC.
ObjectiveTo discuss the angiogenic effects on tumor micrometastasis. MethodsLiteratures on the relation between tumor angiogenesis and micrometastasis were reviewed. ResultsTumor angiogenesis was a basis of the development of micrometastasis.Conclusion Micrometastic dependence on angiogenesis gestates a novel revolution of tumor treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of preoperative intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on the operation duration of vitrectomy and postoperative vision for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). MethodsA prospective study was carried out with the 90 PDR patients (90 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy. The 90 patients(90 eyes)were assigned to the vitrectomy only group(43 eyes) and the IVR combined with vitrectomy group (47 eyes). The IVR was performed 5-13 days prior to vitrectomy in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group. There were 15 eyes with fibrous proliferation PDR (FPDR), 16 eyes with advanced PDR (APDR) without involving the macular and 16 eyes with APDR involving the macular in the vitrectomy only group. There were 14 eyes with FPDR, 15 eyes with APDR without involving the macular and 14 eyes with APDR involving the macular patients in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group. All the eyes in the two groups were regularly operated by the same doctor to complete the vitrectomy. The start and end time of vitrectomy were recorded. The average follow-up time was 10 months. The changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe duration of operation of the FPDR type (t=-8.300) and the APDR involving the macular type (t=-2.418) in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group was shorter than vitrectomy only group (P < 0.05). The comparison of duration of operation of the APDR without involving the macular type in the two groups has no statistically significant difference (t=-1.685, P > 0.05). At 1 month after surgery, the comparison of BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group and the vitrectomy only group in APDR involving the macular type has no statistically significant difference (t=0.126, P > 0.05). At 3, 6 months after surgery, the BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group in APDR involving the macular type was significantly better than the BCVA of the vitrectomy only group (t=8.014, 7.808; P < 0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, the BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group in FPDR type (t=3.809, 1.831, 0.600) and APDR without involving the macular type (t=0.003, 1.092, 3.931) compared with pre-treatment, the difference were not statistically significant (P > 0.05); the BCVA in APDR without involving the macular type compared with pre-treatment, the difference was distinctly statistically significant (t=2.940, 4.162, 6.446; P < 0.05); the BCVA in APDR involving the macular type (t=0.953, 1.682, 1.835) compared with pre-treatment, the difference were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). ConclusionPreoperative IVR of PDR can shorten the operation duration and improve the BCVA of APDR involving the macular type.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of adjuvant intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for advanced Coats disease. MethodsThis study is a retrospective case series study. Fourteen patients (14 eyes), presenting Coats Stages 3B and 4 (8 and 6 eyes, respectively) were enrolled. All the patients were treated with adjuvant intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. The intravitreal anti-VEGF injections varied from 1 to 7, with a median injections of 2.14. In 14 eyes, combined therapy was subretinal fluid drainage in 4 eyes, photocoagulation in 2 eyes, vitrectomy in 8 eyes. The follow-up period was ranged from 4 to 36 months, with a median follow-up of 18.8 months. Visual acuity and retinal reattachment were observed in follow up. ResultsAt last follow up, global suvival was 100.0% with no enucleation performed in any patient because of disease progression. Except for 2 children who were unable to cope with the visual acuity test, visual acuity was improved in 2 patients, stable in 8 patients, and decreased in 2 patients. 5 patients (35.7%) achieved in complete retinal reattachment, 3 patients (21.4%) were succeed in partial retinal reattachment, and the remain 6 patients(42.8%) failed in retinal reattachment. Two patients developed cataract after vitrectomy, and no other adverse reaction was observed during follow-up. ConclusionAnti-VEGF therapy combined with classic treatments in advanced Coats disease can keep or impove the visual acuity in most patients by reducing of subretinal exudation.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes, and it is the main cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Angiopoietin (Ang), a superfamily of secreted proteins, is a vascular growth factor that regulates the stability of vascular environment, participates in angiogenesis and repair, and lipid metabolism. It plays an important role in the development of DR and has become a new target for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. With the in-depth study of Ang and the research and development of various drugs for Ang, it is expected to bring new ideas and strategies for the treatment of DR in the future.