New approaches and potential treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration

Author(s)

Damico, Francisco Max ^[1] ; Gasparin, Fabio ^[1] ; Scolari, Mariana Ramos ^[1] ; Pedral, Lycia Sampaio ^[1] ; Takahashi, Beatriz Sayuri ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia; v. 75, n. 1, p. 71-75, JAN-FEB 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 30

Abstract

Emerging treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy focus on two strategies that target components involved in physiopathological pathways: prevention of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium loss (neuro-protection induction, oxidative damage prevention, and visual cycle modification) and suppression of inflammation. Neuroprotective drugs, such as ciliary neurotrophic factor, brimonidine tartrate, tandospirone, and anti-amyloid beta antibodies, aim to prevent apoptosis of retinal cells. Oxidative stress and depletion of essential micronutrients are targeted by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation. Visual cycle modulators reduce the activity of the photoreceptors and retinal accumulation of toxic fluorophores and lipofuscin. Eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration present chronic inflammation and potential treatments include corticosteroid and complement inhibition. We review the current concepts and rationale of dry age-related macular degeneration treatment that will most likely include a combination of drugs targeting different pathways involved in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/08331-8 - Study of acyclovir biological half-life on the rabbit vitreous after intravitreal injection and the influence of vitreous liquefaction by hyaluronidase
• Grantee: Mariana Ramos Scolari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation