Abstract
Purpose :
Ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap, Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, Bridgewater, NJ), a drug indicated for patients with colon cancer, acts as a soluble receptor that binds to human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors 1 and 2, and to human Placental Growth Factor. Aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY) the Intravitreal equivalent of ziv-aflibercept, is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration, of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion and of diabetic macular edema. The aim of this study is to evaluate retinal toxicity of ziv-aflibercept.
Methods :
A total of 18 albino rabbits were injected intravitreally with 0.1 ml of ziv-aflibercept solution into the experimental eye and 0.1 ml saline into the control eye. Twelve were used for electroretinogram (ERG) 4-weeks follow-up (one of these died) and 6 were used for histological and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunocytochemistry during follow-up. ERG responses were recorded 3 days, 1-, 2-, and 4-weeks after injection. The visual evoked potential (VEP) was recorded after 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical and histological studies were performed throughout the follow-up period and after the termination of the follow-up period.
Results :
the ERG responses of the experimental eyes did not show any significant difference from the responses of the control eyes, either in amplitude or in pattern, throughout the follow-up period. The flash VEP responses of the experimental eyes were of normal pattern and amplitude and were similar to those recorded by stimulation of the control eyes. Histologic studies of both experimental and control eyes did not show any signs of structural damage. However, GFAP immunocytochemistry showed activation of retinal Müller cells, indicating mild retinal gliosis.
Conclusions :
Ziv-aflibercept was found to be non-toxic to the retina of rabbits based on electrophysiological testing and histologic examination. However, GFAP immunocytochemistry suggests mild retinal stress caused by the drug. Therefore, application of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept in patients needs caution and additional considerations.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.