Untitled

Journal Watch
Vision science highlights from the world’sleading journals of medicine and science This month’s selections are in
interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) in animal intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial keeping with the theme of medical
retinas produces responses similar to those seen growth factor agents appears to be quite low, a when very specific siRNA known to switch off a retrospective study of 10,254 injections indicates.
treatment of AMD.
gene that promotes cell proliferation was injected.
The injections were performed as office procedures Robo4 could prevent AMD
The researchers believe the treatment works not by with povidone-iodine as part of the pre-injection Robo4, a protein found in vascular endothelial cells, inhibiting expression of a particular gene, but by preparation. Pre-injection antibiotics, eye drape and reverses macular degeneration and diabetic boosting the immune system to ward off the surgical attire were not used. Results showed three retinopathy in animal studies.The protein prevents encroaching cells.This insight could offer a new cases of suspected endophthalmitis, one following the diseases by inhibiting abnormal blood vessel bevacizumab injection and two following ranibizumab growth and by stabilising blood vessels to prevent ME Kleinman at al., Nature, “Sequence- and target- injection.The study found no case of culture-proven leakage.The researchers believe the finding has independent angiogenesis suppression by siRNA via endophthalmitis. All three patients regained their potential “broad therapeutic applications”.
TLR3”, 27 March 2008 online,Vol.452 No.7186, DOI: pre-injection visual acuity.The incidence of suspected DY Li et al., Nature Medicine, “Robo4 stabilizes the endophthalmitis was 0.029 per cent, with no vascular network by inhibiting pathologic angiogenesis difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis and endothelial hyperpermeability”, March 16 online, Randomised trial confirms Avastin
between ranibizumab and bevacizumab injections.
benefits
S Pilli et al., American Journal of Ophthalmology,“Endophthalmitis associated with intravitreal anti-vascular Functional and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal Treatment responsive genotypes
endothelial growth factor therapy injections in an office bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) treatment were Two specific genotypes appear to predict treatment setting”, March 2008; online pub., DOI: response to intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, (photodynamic) therapy (PDT) combined with Genentech) in patients with exudative AMD. A intravitreal triamcinolone in patients with retrospective cohort study revealed an association neovascular AMD, a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial confirmed.The bevacizumab- LOC387715 genotypes and response to treatment.
treated group mean showed improvement in visual acuity at six months’ follow-up, while those treated significantly worse with intravitreal bevacizumab with combination therapy remained stable.
than did those with the CFH TC and TT genotypes, Interestingly, both approaches reduce central retinal suggesting a potential pharmacogenetic relationship.
thickness, but only Avastin improved vision.The There was no significant difference in response to researchers say the results also indicate that an bevacizumab treatment according to LOC387715 intermittent treatment regimen using OCT findings genotype.The authors call for prospective studies to as an indicator for retreatment is most promising for MA Brantley et al., Ophthalmology, “Association of complement factor H and LOC387715 genotypes with G Weigert et al., British Journal of Ophthalmology, response of exudative age-related macular degeneration “Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy versus to intravitreal bevacizumab”, 2007;114(12): photodynamic therapy plus intravitreal triamcinolone for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 6-month New treatments emphasise immune
results of a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical The discovery of a generalised immune response toRNA could produce new treatments for AMD.
Low incidence of endophthalmitis
Researchers found that injecting non-specific small The incidence of endophthalmitis following EuroTimes,Vol 13, Issue 5, May 2008 – Not for reprinting

Source: http://www.escrseurotimes.org/PUBLICATIONS/EUROTIMES/08may/Visionsciencehighlights.pdf