FGF-2 inhibition

RPE from CNV patients expresses angiogenic growth factors whose action is partly independent from VEGF.

In a study, Sthal concluded that anti-VEGF treatment (bevacizumab) inactivated all RPE-derived VEGF in a 3D collagen matrix culture of RPE isolated from surgically excised CNV-membranes (CNV-RPE) used to stimulate sprouting of endothelial cell (EC) spheroids, but was unable to fully inhibit EC sprouting induced by CNV-RPE.

Combined anti-VEGF/anti-FGF treatment inactivated both growth factors and reduced EC sprouting significantly.

In a comparison between the antiangiogenic effect of solitary anti-VEGF antibodies and combination treatment with anti-VEGF and anti-FGF-2 antibodies, greater inhibition was achieved for the latter.

Targeted combined therapy can be superior to solitary anti-VEGF therapy.

One possible candidate for combined therapy is FGF-2⁽³⁴).