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World J Diabetes. Dec 15, 2013; 4(6): 303-309
Published online Dec 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i6.303
Published online Dec 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i6.303
Vascular endothelial growth factor trap-eye (Aflibercept) for the management of diabetic macular edema
Ahmadreza Moradi, Yasir Jamal Sepah, Mohammad Ali Sadiq, Humzah Nasir, Salima Kherani, Raafay Sophie, Diana V Do, Quan Dong Nguyen, Retinal Imaging Research and Reading Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States
Yasir Jamal Sepah, Mohammad Ali Sadiq, Diana V Do, Quan Dong Nguyen, Stanley M Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc, Stanley M Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Emile St, Omaha, NE 68198, United States. quan.nguyen@unmc.edu
Telephone: +1-402-5594276 Fax: +1-402-5595514
Received: December 27, 2012
Revised: May 31, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: December 15, 2013
Revised: May 31, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: December 15, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Several different agents have been approved recently for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The index article outlines the role of aflibercept, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, as a potential therapeutic option. Results from DME trials with aflibercept have been favorable and comparable to other anti-VEGF agents. Because of its longer half-life, aflibercept may also decrease the frequency of injections for DME patients. These results could be attributed to the stronger and prolonged binding of aflibercept to the VEGF-A receptor compared to other available antagonists. A better understanding of the effect of this drug in DME is expected once the phase 3 trial results are available.