Aflibercept Treatment for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Refractory to Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Retinal layers changes in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate retinal layers changes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents and to evaluate if these changes may affect treatment response.

METHODS

This study included 496 patients with AMD or PCV who were treated with anti-VEGF agents and followed up for at least 6 months. A comprehensive analysis of retinal layers affecting visual acuity was conducted. To eliminate the fact that the average thickness calculated may lead to differences tending to converge towards the mean, we proposed that the retinal layer was divided into different regions and the thickness of the retinal layer was analyzed at the same time. The labeled data will be publicly available for further research.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline, significant improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients at the 6-month follow-up. Statistically significant reduction in central retinal thickness and separate retinal layer thickness was also observed (p < 0.05). Among all retinal layers, the thickness of the external limiting membrane to retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane (ELM to RPE/BrM) showed the greatest reduction. Furthermore, the subregional assessment revealed that the ELM to RPE/BrM decreased greater than that of other layers in each region.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with anti-VEGF agents effectively reduced retinal thickness in all separate retinal layers as well as the retina as a whole and anti-VEGF treatment may be more targeted at the edema site. These findings could have implications for the development of more precise and targeted therapies for AMD treatment.

[Anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: causes of incomplete response]

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is one of the leading causes of decreased vision in the elderly population in many countries, including Russia. Anti-VEGF therapy is undoubtedly the «gold standard» of treatment for the disease, but its use in different patients is known to produce results with significant interindividual differences. This article reviews modern ideas about the clinical assessment of the degree of response to anti-VEGF therapy, possible reasons for its insufficient effectiveness (clinical, pharmacological, or related to nAMD pathogenesis), discusses the potential applications of the existing therapeutic strategies, and considers the prospects for the emergence of new strategies that could be used for solving that problem.

Pachychoroid spectrum disease

Recent improvements in ophthalmic imaging have led to the identification of a thickened choroid or pachychoroid to be associated with a number of retinal diseases. The number of conditions linked to this phenotype has continued to widen with specific endophenotypes found within the pachychoroid spectrum. The spectrum includes choroidal features such as focal or diffuse choroidal thickening and thinning of the overlying inner choroid, and choroidal hyperpermeability as demonstrated by indocyanine green angiography. In addition, these diseases are associated with overlying retinal pigmentary changes and retinal pigment epithelial dysfunction and may also be associated with choroidal neovascularization. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature looking at diseases currently described within the pachychoroid spectrum including central serous chorioretinopathy, pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy/aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization, peripapillary pachychoroid disease and focal choroidal excavation. We particularly focus on clinical imaging, genetics and pathological findings in these conditions with the aim of updating evidence suggesting a common aetiology between diseases within the pachychoroid spectrum.

Aflibercept therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration resistant to bevacizumab and ranibizumab

Background

Despite the good outcomes achieved with intravitreal angiogenic therapy, a subset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients experience resistance to therapy after repeated injections. Switching drugs could offer benefit to this group of patients.

Purpose

To determine visual and anatomical outcomes in a cohort of neovascular AMD patients resistant to repeated injections of bevacizumab/ranibizumab after switching to aflibercept therapy.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of patients who had a diagnosis of neovascular AMD and persistent intraretinal (IRF) and/or subretinal fluid (SRF) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) for at least 3 months despite monthly bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab injections prior to transition to aflibercept. We reviewed patients’ records and OCT images obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transition to aflibercept. Data collected included demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), number of injections received and the occurrence of any adverse events. Studied OCT parameters included central macular thickness (CMT) values and the presence or absence of SRF, IRF and/or pigment epithelial detachment (PED) at each visit.

Results

We included 53 eyes of 48 patients. Mean change in BCVA from baseline was 0.05 ± 0.13 (P = 0.01) at M1, 0.04 ± 0.16 (P = 0.08) at M3, 0.01 ± 0.22 (P = 0.9) at M6, and 0.02 ± 0.28 (P = 1) at M12, while the mean change in CMT from baseline was 64 ± 75 μm (P < 0.0001) at M1, 42 ± 85 μm (P = 0.002) at M3, 47 ± 69 μm (P < 0.0001) at M6, and 46 ± 99 μm (P = 0.001) at M12. The percentage of eyes with SRF decreased from 77.4% at baseline to 39.6% at M1, then increased to 47.2% at M3, then decreased to 43.4% at M6, and to 41.5% at M12 (All p < 0.001, compared to baseline). Compared to baseline, there was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of eyes having IRF from 47.2 to 20.8% at M1 (p < 0.001), 30.2% at M3, 24.5% at M6 and 26.4% at M12 (p < 0.01, each). The number of bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab injections (7.36 ± 1.85) was significantly higher than that of aflibercept (6.47 ± 2.45, p = 0.001). A significant direct relationship between CMT reduction and BCVA improvement was demonstrated at M1 (p = 0.01, r = 0.36), M3 (p = 0.03, r = 0.30) and M12 (p = 0.03, r = 0.30). Eyes with IRF had significantly poorer BCVA than eyes without IRF at baseline (p = 0.02) and M3 (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Switching to intravitreal aflibercept therapy in a cohort of neovascular AMD patients resistant to chronic bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab injections can lead to significant visual improvement in the short term and sustained reduction of central macular thickness over 1 year of followup.

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Caucasians: The POLYON real-life study in 50 naive patients

Objectives:

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is a common disease in Asia, but it has been less described in the Caucasian population. The aim of this real-life observational study was to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic practices as well as the prognosis in this population.

Method:

Fifty Caucasian patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were included in this study. All patients underwent angiography to confirm the diagnosis. Patients were divided into two treatment groups: patients of group 1 only received anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections and those of group 2 required photodynamic therapy rescue in addition to intravitreal injections in case of suboptimal (anatomically or functionally) response. Clinical (visual acuity, fundus examination), paraclinical (retinal pigment epithelium detachment height and central retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography), and therapeutic (number of intravitreal injections) criteria were analyzed after 24 months.

Results:

Patient mean age was 73.9 ± 9.1 years, and half of the patients had age-related macular degeneration. In the whole cohort, the initial visual acuity was equivalent to the final visual acuity (59.9 ± 24.0 letters vs 62.5 ± 21.1 letters, p = 0.259). In group 1, the final visual acuity was significantly increased (from 56.9 ± 24.7 letters to 63.4 ± 21.6 letters, p = 0.016), while in group 2, it remained stable (from 61.7 ± 23.4 letters to 61.0 ± 21.4 letters, p = 0.249). The number of intravitreal injections was similar between both groups.

Conclusion:

In a Caucasian population, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy seems to have a later onset. A non-standardized management allows stabilizing the functional prognosis. Patients requiring photodynamic therapy rescue have a poorer prognosis.

How Successful is Switching from Bevacizumab or Ranibizumab to Aflibercept in Age-Related Macular Degeneration? A Systematic Overview

Emerging anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) have revolutionised medical retina practice and the management and eventual outcome of nAMD. Recent research has focused on evaluating and comparing the efficacy of the two most widely employed anti-VEGF agents, bevacizumab and ranibizumab; however, a subgroup of patients with nAMD demonstrates a suboptimal response to standard therapy. We have therefore conducted a review of pertinent studies published until August 2018 which have documented the clinical efficacy when switching to a different anti-VEGF. Evidence on baseline disease characteristics, injection frequency and disease outcome has been obtained for patients treated with ranibizumab 0.5 mg and/or bevacizumab 1.25 mg and were switched to aflibercept 2 mg. Our review identified 45 studies investigating switching to aflibercept. Our review showed a clear anatomical benefit after the switch in terms of central retinal thickness and pigment epithelium detachment characteristics, whereas the functional outcomes were variable. Remarkable heterogeneity was documented among the relevant studies with regard to several factors including the baseline characteristics of the cohorts, the non-response definition and previous treatment protocols. Larger prospective trials with appropriate control arms are therefore required to elucidate the potential benefit when switching between anti-VEGF agents in refractory nAMD.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: Pearls in diagnosis and management

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of exudative maculopathy in Asians as against Wet age-related macular degeneration in Caucasians. A panel of retinal experts methodically evaluated pertinent updated literature on PCV with thorough PubMed/MEDLINE search. Based on this, the panel agreed upon and proposed the current consensus recommendations in the diagnosis (clinical and imaging), management and follow-up schedule of PCV. Diagnosis of PCV should be based on the gold standard indocyanine green angiography which demonstrates early nodular hyperfluorescence signifying the polyp with additional features such as abnormal vascular network (AVN). Optical coherence tomography is an excellent adjuvant for diagnosing PCV, monitoring disease activity, and decision-making regarding the treatment. Current treatment modalities for PCV include photodynamic therapy, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and thermal laser. Choice of specific treatment modality and prognosis depends on multiple factors such as the location and size of PCV lesion, presence or absence of polyp with residual AVN, amount of submacular hemorrhage, presence or absence of leakage on fundus fluorescein angiography, visual acuity, and so on. Current recommendations would be invaluable for the treating physician in diagnosing PCV and in formulating the best possible individualized treatment strategy for optimal outcomes in PCV management.

[Anti-VEGF therapy resistance in neovascular age-related macular degeneration]

With account to the increase in the elderly population in most of the developed countries, the WHO defines age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as one of the main causes of blindness in the world. A large percentage of disability is accounted for by exudative, or neovascular, form of AMD. Today, a total of 5 anti-VEGF drugs exist that are recommended for treatment of exudative AMD: pegaptanib, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, and conbercept. Despite significant progress in the treatment of neovascular AMD yielded by the introduction into clinical practice of anti-VEGF drugs, some patients report a lack (down to complete lack) of response with standard treatment patterns and even a decrease in treatment efficacy after repeated intravitreal injections.

Five-year Outcomes of Ranibizumab in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: Real Life Clinical Experience

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of 5-year ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a single center and real life clinical setting.

Methods

The records of nAMD patients who were treated with ranibizumab between January 2010 and June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who completed 5 years of follow-up were included. Main outcome measures were change in best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and visit and injection numbers.

Results

Forty-four eyes of 37 patients were included. Mean best-corrected visual acuity decreased from 0.82 ± 0.69 to 1.11 ± 0.65 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution after 5 years. Twenty-four eyes (54.5%) had visual acuity loss ≥3 lines, and 20 eyes (45.5%) had stable or improved vision (loss <3 lines, remained stable, or gained ≥1 line) at month 60. The mean total number of visits was 25.3 ± 5.8 (range, 14 to 42), and the mean total number of injections was 12.6 ± 6.4 (range, 3 to 26) at month 60.

Conclusions

Half of the ranibizumab-treated nAMD patients maintained their vision during the 5 years of follow-up. Visit and injection numbers were found to be lower than in prospective studies, reflecting a real world clinical practice.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper is to review the recent literature of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and provide an update on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although indocyanine-green angiography (ICGA) is still the gold standard for diagnosis of PCV, the use of en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography are useful tools in the diagnosis of PCV. Studies demonstrate superior treatment outcomes with combination photodynamic therapy (PDT) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

SUMMARY

PCV is a disease most commonly in Asians and African-Americans and presents with an orange-red nodule in the macula or the peripapillary region. While ICGA remains the most accurate method to diagnose PCV, newer non-invasive imaging modalities (eg. OCT-A and en face OCT) can be used to identify PCV lesions. The combination of PDT and anti-VEGF therapy is superior to either monotherapy. Future studies of OCT modalities and other anti-VEGF agents will be important in guiding PCV diagnosis and management, respectively.

Interleukin-13 and age-related macular degeneration

AIM

o identify the effects of interleukin (IL)-13 on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and the IL-13 level in aqueous humor of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients.

METHODS

IL-13 levels in aqueous humor specimens from AMD patients were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ARPE-19 cells were treated with 10 ng/mL IL-13 for 12, 24, and 48h. The cell proliferaton was evaluated by the MTS method. The mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and ZO-1 were evaluated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTS

IL-13 levels in the aqueous humor of patients with AMD were significantly higher than those in the control (167.33±17.64 vs 27.12±5.65 pg/mL; P<0.01). In vitro, IL-13 of high concentrations (10, 15, and 20 ng/mL) inhibited ARPE-19 cell proliferation. α-SMA mRNA in ARPE-19 cell were increased (1.017±0.112 vs 1.476±0.168; P<0.001) and ZO-1 decreased (1.051±0.136 vs 0.702±0.069; P<0.001) after treated with 10 ng/mL IL-13 for 48h. The protein expression of α-SMA and ZO-1 also showed the same tendency (α-SMA: P=0.038; ZO-1: P=0.008). IL-13 significantly reduced the level of TNF-α (44.70±1.67 vs 31.79±3.53 pg/mL; P=0.005) at 48h, but the level of TGF-β2 was significantly increased from 34.44±2.92 to 57.61±6.31 pg/mL at 24h (P=0.004) and from 61.26±1.11 to 86.91±3.59 pg/mL at 48h (P<0.001). While expressions of VEGF didn't change after IL-13 treatment.

CONCLUSION

IL-13 in vitro inhibit ARPE-19 cell proliferation and expression in the aqueous may be associated with AMD.

Clinical experience of switching anti-VEGF therapy from ranibizumab to aflibercept in age-related choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

To report the response of participants switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) requiring further anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment.

METHODS

In this retrospective case review of 68 participants treated in a single hospital, all participants, prior to switching, received ranibizumab injections only. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), clinical examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at each visit. Active nAMD was defined as persistent intraretinal or subretinal fluid on OCT. Participants had their first aflibercept injection at baseline and 2 more injections at 2 monthly intervals. Afterwards, they were followed up every 6-8 weeks and given injections as needed. The main outcome measures were visual acuity and the OCT central retinal thickness (CRT), average thickness (AT), and total macular volume (TMV).

RESULTS

The BCVA at baseline visit was 0.57 ± 0.33 log MAR and the final BCVA was 0.54 ± 0.37 log MAR (p = 0.215). The CRT mean change was -75.6 ± 85.6 (p = 0.001), the AT mean change was -24.2 ± 27.2 (p = 0.001), and TMV mean change was -0.69 ± 0.78 (p = 0.001). There were no significant ophthalmic complications related to treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal aflibercept improved anatomic outcomes (as measured by OCT) in eyes with nAMD that were previously treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and were still active. There was no statistically significant difference in logMAR visual acuity in participants who switched to aflibercept with a follow-up of at least 6 months.

Fixed bimonthly aflibercept in naïve and switched neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients: one year outcomes

AIM

To determine real life clinical outcomes in poorly responsive and treatment-naïve neovascular age related macular degeneration (nvAMD) patients using bimonthly fixed dosing aflibercept regimen.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 165 eyes with nvAMD started on aflibercept at Southampton Eye Unit between June 2013 and June 2014. Patients were either switched from pro re nata (PRN) ranibizumab/bevacizumab due to poor response (107 eyes), or treatment-naïve (58 eyes). Patients initially received 3-monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by 2-monthly fixed doses. Clinic visits were scheduled at month 0, 4, 10 and 12. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) from baseline were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The proportion of patients maintaining BCVA (<15 letters loss) at 12mo was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean BCVA change at month 12 was +3.29 and +4.67 letters in the switched and naïve aflibercept groups respectively (P<0.01). BCVA was maintained in 95.3% of switched and 96.6% of naïve patients. CRT at month 12 showed a decrease of -6.16 µm in the switched group and -35.36 µm in the naïve group (P<0.01). Patients previously treated with ranibizumab/bevacizumab had on average received 7.4 ranibizumab/bevacizumab injections over 12.6mo, attending 10 clinic visits. The fixed dosing aflibercept regimen required an average of 7.1 injections (naïve group), 7.5 injections (switched group) and 4 clinic visits per year.

CONCLUSION

Fixed bimonthly aflibercept is effective in both treatment-naïve and poorly responsive nvAMD patients. Adopting a fixed dosing regimen can reduce patient burden without compromising on outcomes.

Evaluation of outer retinal tubulations in eyes switched from intravitreal ranibizumab to aflibercept for treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes of outer retinal tubulations (ORTs) as seen on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) where treatment was switched from intravitreal ranibizumab to intravitreal aflibercept.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of eyes diagnosed with neovascular AMD and previously treated with >6 intravitreal ranibizumab injections and switched to aflibercept, conducted at a single centre (Department of Ophthalmology at Pitié Salpetriere Hospital, Paris VI University) from January to July 2015. Before and after treatment was switched from ranibizumab to aflibercept, SD-OCT was used to evaluate the presence of ORTs. Additional assessments in this patient group included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Changes in pigment epithelium detachments (PED), presence of intraretinal cysts, and presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) were also noted.

RESULTS

Twenty-four eyes of 24 consecutive patients (15 female/nine male, mean age 70 years) diagnosed with neovascular AMD and previously treated with >6 intravitreal ranibizumab injections and switched to aflibercept were included in the analysis. After receiving aflibercept, patients were followed for a mean of 6.1 months. Prior to treatment switch, 97 % of eyes showed ORTs, while after treatment switch to aflibercept, at the end of the study period, 75 % had ORTs (p =  0.219). Changes in BCVA (LogMAR) were not statistically significant (1.16 ± 0.44 to 1.18 ± 1.06, p =  0.12), however, a significant reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) (from 406 μm ± 112 to 263 μm ± 68, p =  0.001), PED (from 70.8 % to 41.7 % , p =  0.016), presence of intraretinal cysts (from 83.3 % to 33.3 %, p =  0.002) and SRF (from 91.7 % to 25 %, p = 0.001 ) were noted.

CONCLUSION

After switching from ranibizumab treatment to aflibercept, ORTs remained present in 75 % of eyes, and significant reductions in CMT, PED, and SRF, and presence of intraretinal cysts were observed.

Resistance to anti-VEGF therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a comprehensive review

As a progressive chronic disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision impairment worldwide. Experimental and clinical evidence has demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a vital role in the formation of choroidal neovascularization. Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents have been recommended as a first-line treatment for neovascular AMD. However, persistent fluid or recurrent exudation still occurs despite standardized anti-VEGF therapy. Patients suffering from refractory or recurrent neovascular AMD may develop mechanisms of resistance to anti-VEGF therapy, which results in a diminished therapeutic effect. Until now, there has been no consensus on the definitions of refractory neovascular AMD and recurrent neovascular AMD. This article aims at clarifying these concepts to evaluate the efficacy of switching drugs, which contributes to making clinical decision more scientifically. Furthermore, insight into the causes of resistance to anti-VEGF therapy would be helpful for developing possible therapeutic approaches, such as combination therapy and multi-target treatment that can overcome this resistance.

Ziv-aflibercept: a novel option for the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is an exudative maculopathy usually treated using photodynamic therapy (PDT) and antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. However, these cases may sometimes be refractory to both PDT and ranibizumab or bevacizumab, and may have persistent intra-retinal fluid. Recently, studies have reported that aflibercept may be effective in such resistant cases. However, high cost and limited availability has restricted its use to only a few countries. Ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap), a systemic analogue of aflibercept, has been tried recently and it has been effective in macular oedema. We report a case of PCV resistant to PDT and ranibizumab, which responded well to intravitreal ziv-aflibercept.

Intravitreal aflibercept treatment in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration following prior treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab

Background:

To investigate visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal aflibercept following prior treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective, single-center study of 192 eyes treated with 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab every 4 weeks for three consecutive doses followed by a variable dose schedule. After more than 12 months of ranibizumab treatment, eyes that required ranibizumab injections at 4-week or 6-week intervals were switched to aflibercept therapy.

Results:

After 12–69 months (42 months ± 18 months, mean ± standard deviation [SD]) of treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab, 80 eyes were changed to 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept treatment with follow-up after 12–18 months (16 months ± 1 month, mean ± SD). Thirty-nine eyes had persistent macular fluid after treatment with ranibizumab. Mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) in eyes treated with ranibizumab changed by − 0.089 ± 0.310 (mean ± SD; P = 0.0003), which correlates to an approximate gain of 4.5 letters. The number of eyes with macular fluid decreased from 39 to 23 after aflibercept treatment. Mean logMAR VA in eyes with intraretinal macular fluid treated with aflibercept changed by −0.079 ± 0.134 (mean ± SD; P = 0.006), which correlates to an approximate gain of 4 letters. Mean logMAR VA in eyes with submacular fluid was not significantly different after aflibercept treatment.

Conclusion:

Eyes with persistent intraretinal macular fluid had visual and anatomic response after changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept treatment.

Treatment of Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration: Focus on Aflibercept

A formulation of aflibercept for intravitreal injection (Eylea) is approved for the treatment of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aflibercept has a significantly higher affinity for Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A compared with other monoclonal anti-VEGF antibodies. In addition to binding all VEGF-A isoforms, aflibercept also blocks other proangiogenic factors such as VEGF-B and placental growth factor. The VIEW 1 and 2 trials showed this drug achieves improved results in patients with exudative AMD similar to those obtained with monthly ranibizumab, using a bimonthly treatment regimen after a loading dose of three intravitreal injections, which translates to less use of healthcare resources. There is a subgroup of patients that present with persistent fluid after the loading dose that could benefit from monthly injections or personalized proactive treatment after the first year. In the second year of treatment, the Treat and Extend patterns can permit even more lengthening of the time between injections. More data are needed to confirm the optimal monitoring and retreatment dosing, to maintain long-term efficacy. Other preliminary data suggest that patients that do not respond to other anti-angiogenics and patients with special pathologies such as polypoidal choroidopathy or retinal angiomatous proliferation can improve upon switching to aflibercept. To date, the safety profile of aflibercept is excellent and is comparable to other anti-angiogenic treatments.