Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) change in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model in Cynomolgus monkeys treated with anti-VEGF substance.
Methods :
Six Cynomolgus monkeys with normal eyes were recruited. Eight spots of laser (532 nm) was shot on the retina around 1PD away surrounding the macular to break the Bruch's membrane to induce CNV. Two weeks after, examinations of mfERG, flash ERG, OCT, and FFA were performed, and the animals were randomly divided into two groups according to the degree of retinal blood vessel leakage. One group was intravitreally injected with Conbercept and the other with saline. The same ocular examinations were performed once at Week 1, 2, and 3 post-dose, respectively.
Results :
Two weeks post-laser shot, blood vessel leakage and retinal edema were observed at the laser spots. After grouping randomly according to the FFA leakage ranking, flash ERG showed similar signals between the two groups, but mfERG showed better signal in the planned Conbercept-treated group. After treatment, the leakage and retinal edema were significantly alleviated by Conbercept. Flash ERG showed an overall stronger signals, mfERG showed that the signal improvement was in the laser-injured area.
Conclusions :
Compared to flash ERG, mfERG was a more precise and sensitive biomarker for anti-CNV drug efficacy assessment at the preclinical stage.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Imaging in the Eye Conference, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 26-27, 2019.