VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects > 14 million individuals worldwide. Although 90% of patients with AMD have the dry form, neovascular AMD accounts for the vast majority of patients who develop legal blindness. Until recently, few treatment options existed for treatment of neovascular AMD. The advent of anti-VEGF therapy has significantly improved the safe and effective treatment of neovascular AMD. In addition to two anti-VEGF drugs currently in widespread use, ranibizumab and bevacizumab, a number of medications that interrupt angiogenesis are currently under investigation. One promising new drug is aflibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye), a fusion protein that blocks all isoforms of VEGF-A and placental growth factors-1 and -2. Objective: To review the current literature and clinical trial data regarding VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Methods: Literature review. Results/conclusion: VEGF Trap-Eye is a novel anti-VEGF therapy, with Phase I and II trial data indicating safety, tolerability and efficacy for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Two Phase III clinical trials (VIEW-1 and VIEW-2) comparing VEGF Trap-Eye to ranibizumab are currently continuing and will provide vital insight into the clinical applicability of this drug.