Purpose:
Bevacizumab (Avastin®, Genentech, California, USA), is an anti–angiogenesis medication used for cancer treatment and may have potential in modulating the fibrovascular response post trabeculectomy. This study will evaluate the amount of retained bevacizumab on scleral tissue after topical application.
Methods:
Scleral bevacizumab concentrations were determined using an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the wells coated with avidin. Biotinylated bevacizumab was used as the primary antibody. Goat anti–human IgG conjugated to horseradish peroxidase was utilized as the secondary antibody. Four concentrations of biotinylated bevacizumab (1.25 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.3 mg and 0.125 mg per 0.05ml) were used as standards . The supernatant of human scleral tissue was treated with the biotinylated bevacizumab for 30 minutes prior to performing the ELISA. The concentration of each supernatant tissue group was compared to the standard curves to calculate the amount of bevacizumab scleral binding.
Results:
The concentration of retained bevacizumab in the treated scleral tissue are shown below:
Conclusions:
Bevacizumab is retained, dependent on dose, in scleral tissue after topical application and may have a role in treating fibrovascular diseases of the ocular surface and inhibiting fibroblast proliferation following surgery. Further studies are needed to better delineate optimal delivery technique and dosing.
Keywords: sclera • wound healing