Bevasiranib is an anti-VEGF small interfering RNA (siRNA). VEGF is a key component in the pathogenesis of choroidal neo-vascularization (CNV), which is a precursor to wet AMD. Bevasiranib has been used in wet AMD research.
Reference Reading
1.Combination therapy using the small interfering RNA bevasiranib.
Singerman L1. Retina. 2009 Jun;29(6 Suppl):S49-50. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e3181ad2341.
Bevasiranib, the first small interfering RNA agent developed for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, has demonstrated clinical promise. Injected intravitreally, this small interfering RNA acts by inducing catalytic destruction of messenger RNA to silence gene expression. Bevasiranib targets the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein. It does not affect existing VEGF protein, suggesting that it may offer a synergistic effect when given in combination with anti-VEGF treatments, such as ranibizumab. The safety of bevasiranib has been supported by preclinical and clinical research.
2.Neovascular age-related macular degeneration: potential therapies.
Chappelow AV1, Kaiser PK. Drugs. 2008;68(8):1029-36.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects an estimated 14 million people worldwide, and is the leading cause of severe, irreversible vision loss in individuals over the age of 50 years in Western societies. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), the hallmark of 'wet', 'exudative' or 'neovascular' AMD, is responsible for approximately 90% of cases of severe vision loss due to AMD. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to play a key role in the regulation of CNV and vascular permeability. Ranibizumab, the current gold standard in the US for the treatment of neovascular AMD, exerts its effect through binding and inhibition of all isoforms of VEGF. Randomized controlled clinical trials have established ranibizumab as the first US FDA-approved therapy for neovascular AMD to result in improvement in visual acuity. Despite impressive outcomes, treatment with ranibizumab requires sustained treatment regimens and frequent intravitreal injections.
3.Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for neovascular ocular diseases other than age-related macular degeneration.
Ciulla TA1, Rosenfeld PJ. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2009 May;20(3):166-74. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0b013e328329d173.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies that arrest choroidal angiogenesis and reduce vascular permeability have revolutionized clinical practices for neovascular eye diseases. This review describes anti-VEGF strategies that are being evaluated in ocular diseases, other than neovascular age-related macular degeneration, in which neovascularization plays a critical role in pathogenesis.
