Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the effects of subconjunctival injection and topical application of bevacizumab and sunitinib on experimentally induced corneal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods: :
CNV was induced by placing a suture at the right eyes of 36 rabbits. After the suture removal, the rabbits were divided into 6 groups in equal numbers. In group 1, 2, and 3, the right eyes were received the subconjunctival injection of normal saline, bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL) and sunitinib (0.25 mg/0.1 mL), respectively, immediately after suture removal and again 1 week later. In group 4, 5, and 6, the right eyes had topical saline, bevacizumab (5 mg/mL) and sunitinib (0.5 mg/mL) bid for 2 weeks, respectively. All of the left eyes received neither treatment and nor suture and served as absolute normal controls. Analysis of CNV was performed by biomicroscopy and histological examination of H&E and CD31 immunohistochemical stain. The extent of phosphorylation of serine threonine kinase (AKT) and extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) in corneal tissue was analyzed.
Results: :
On day 14, the mean percentages of CNV area in sunitinib-injected eyes was smaller than the area of saline-injected or bevacizumab-injected eyes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and in case of topical administration, the mean percentages of CNV area in sunitinib-treated eyes was smaller than the area of saline-treated or bevacizumab-treated eyes (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Sunitinib was more effective in topical application (p < 0.05 at 1 week). In histological examination, sunitinib-treated eyes showed lower vascularity than saline-treated or bevacizumab-treated eyes. In phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2 in corneal tissue, both were decreased in bevacizumab and sunitinib-treated group.
Conclusions: :
These results suggest that sunitinib is more effective than bevacizumab for inhibition of CNV and sunitinib is recommended to be used topically. Further trial needs to be performed.
Keywords: neovascularization • cornea: basic science