Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the efficacy of systemic 2–methoxyestradiol (2ME2) in a murine model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods: :
We utilized a laser–induced murine CNV model. C57BL/6J mice (8 week old males) were used for this study and divided into four groups. After laser treatment, daily oral treatment with 30, 50, 75mg/kg of 2ME2 or vehicle was started. Two weeks after laser treatment, digital images of CNV were obtained from fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran (FITC–dextran) angiography and choroidal flat mount after FITC–dextran perfusion. These images were quantified by NIH image software.
Results: :
Analysis of images from both FITC–dextran angiography and choroidal flat mount with FITC–dextran perfusion demonstrated that the 2ME2 treated groups showed a statistically significant decrease of CNV in a dose dependent manner as compared with the vehicle group. No toxicity or weight loss was observed during the treatment.
Conclusions: :
Significant antiangiogenic effects of oral 2ME2 on laser induced CNV were observed. Since 2ME2 (Panzem) has demonstrated good safety in phase I/II trials for cancer, it has the potential to be used as a novel oral treatment of age–related macular degeneration.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • pharmacology