Tag Archives: vascular permeability

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in stimulating abnormal neovascularisation, inflammation and vascular permeability, all factors involved in the pathogenesis of wet AMD. Inhibition of VEGF with intravitreal ranibizumab, pegaptanib and (off-licence) bevacizumab is currently first-line therapy for this condition. However, VEGF plays a pivotal role in maintaining vascular integrity, particularly under conditions of ischaemia and hypoxia. This is particularly significant since most (but not all) studies have suggested that patients with wet AMD have a higher incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke, and becaus