ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a recombinant protein that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In vitro, bevacizumab inhibits VEGF induced cell proliferation and tissue factor production. Abnormal angiogenesis involving VEGF is a central event during the development of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). The present study was designed to evaluate the short term toxic effects of bevacizumab on retinal function for a therapeutic intraocular application. METHODS: Isolated bovine retinas were perfused with an oxygen pre-incubated nutrient solution. The electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded as a transretinal potential using silver/silver chloride electrodes. Bevacizumab was added in different concentrations to the nutrient solution for 45 minutes. Thereafter the retina was reperfused for 60 minutes with normal nutrient solution. The percentage of a-wave and b-wave reduction during the application of bevacizumab was calculated and compared to control recordings. RESULTS: During the application of three different concentrations of bevacizumab (0.08 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml, 0.8 mg/ml) no significant reduction of the a-wave and b-wave amplitude was observed. During the washout, the ERG amplitudes were unchanged. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that an intraocular application of 0.25 mg/ml bevacizumab for the treatment of CNV is reasonable. No significant short term effects of bevacizumab on retinal function were detected, but long term effects cannot be excluded.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Retina/drug effects , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Bevacizumab , Cattle , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electroretinography/drug effects , Retina/physiology , Tissue Culture TechniquesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report a case of retinal pigment epithelial tear after photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: Case report. A 74-year-old woman with exudative age-related macular degeneration and classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization RE underwent photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. RESULTS: Ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography RE disclosed a retinal pigment epithelial tear in the area of photodynamic therapy. CONCLUSION: This case presents the first report of a retinal pigment epithelial tear after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.
Subject(s)
Choroidal Neovascularization/drug therapy , Photochemotherapy/adverse effects , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , Pigment Epithelium of Eye/pathology , Porphyrins/therapeutic use , Retinal Detachment/etiology , Aged , Choroidal Neovascularization/etiology , Female , Fluorescein Angiography , Humans , Macular Degeneration/complications , Ophthalmoscopy , Retinal Detachment/diagnosis , Verteporfin , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The maximum number of cell divisions of a certain cell population is genetically fixed so that aging cells become non-dividing (senescent) at least. This replicative life span, also known as "Hayflick limit", is probably defined by a "critical" length of the telomeres. Telomeres are special DNA-sequences located at the four ends of the chromosomes which are shortened with each cell cycle. Cells of most, but not all malignant tumours have been shown to reactivate the enzyme telomerase so that telomeres can be reconstructed, "Hayflick limit" can be overcome, and unlimited cell division can be established. This study was undertaken to elucidate whether telomerase reactivation is used by uveal melanoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh tumour tissue was removed from 10 untreated uveal melanomas after enucleation. Telomerase activity was determined using a PCR ELISA according to the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP). Normal tissue of the skin and the conjunctiva served as control. RESULT: Telomerase activity was detectable in 90% of the investigated uveal melanomas. All control specimens were telomerase negative. CONCLUSIONS: Uveal melanoma growth seems to depend on telomerase reactivation. Thus, telomerase inhibition could offer a new principle for uveal melanoma therapy in the future.
Subject(s)
Cell Division/physiology , Cellular Senescence/physiology , Melanoma/physiopathology , Telomerase/metabolism , Uveal Neoplasms/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Enzyme Activation/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Telomere/physiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE/METHODS: We studied a rare initial manifestation of myelodysplastic syndrome in an 82-year-old woman who had acute secondary glaucoma in the right eye and mature cataracts in both eyes. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Therapy with glaucoma control medications and cataract extraction in the right eye resulted in expulsive hemorrhage and subsequent enucleation of the right eye. After cataract extraction, examination of the left eye disclosed a central serous retinal detachment and hemorrhage. Histopathologic analysis of the right eye demonstrated myelocytic and lymphocytic infiltration.
Subject(s)
Intraocular Pressure , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/complications , Ocular Hypertension/etiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cataract Extraction , Eye Enucleation , Female , Humans , Intraoperative Complications , Leukemic InfiltrationABSTRACT
In routine eye examination of a 32-year-old male patient an annular macular dystrophy was noted in absence of distinctive visual complaints. Visual acuity was 20/20, the photopic and scotopic electroretinograms were normal. The ring scotoma in perimetry and the macula finding in ophthalmoscopy corresponded to the fluorescein angiographic pattern. Color vision deficiency was only mild without any predominant axis of confusion. Benign concentric annular macular dystrophy is rarely described in literature. Differential diagnosis includes all 'bull's eye' conditions.
