Inhibitory Effect of Topical Aflibercept on Corneal Neovascularization in Rabbits.

PURPOSE: To examine the inhibitory effect of topical aflibercept [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trapR1R2] on corneal neovascularization (NV) in rabbits.

METHODS: Corneal NV was induced in 24 eyes of 12 rabbits. Seven days after a silk suture in the corneal stroma, the rabbits were divided into 4 groups of 6 eyes each. Two groups were treated with topical aflibercept at 2 different concentrations: 2 mg/0.5 mL (0.1%, group 1) and 2 mg/5 mL (0.01%, group 2). The other 2 groups were treated with topical bevacizumab 2.5 mg/1 mL (0.1%, group 3) and topical balanced salt solution (group 4, control). The concentration of VEGF and placental growth factor (PIGF) messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: The surface area of NV was significantly smaller in the treatment groups compared with that of the control group. The expression of VEGF mRNA was 0.227 in 0.1% aflibercept (group 1), 0.811 in 0.01% aflibercept (group 2), and 0.495 in 0.1% bevacizumab (group 3). There was a significant decrease in the VEGF concentration in all 3 treatment groups compared with the control group, 1.491 (P = 0.031, <0.05). In the 0.01% aflibercept group, the difference was less than that of the 0.1% aflibercept and 0.1% bevacizumab groups. There was no significant difference in the 0.1% aflibercept and 0.1% bevacizumab groups. The expression of PIGF mRNA was 0.791 in 0.1% aflibercept (group 1), 0.743 in 0.01% aflibercept (group 2), 1.194 in 0.1% bevacizumab (group 3), and 1.458 in the control group. The expression of PIGF mRNA was significantly decreased in the 0.1% aflibercept and 0.01% aflibercept groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Topical aflibercept may have an inhibitory effect on corneal NV in rabbits.