Opthea announces publication on VEGF-C, VEGF-D signaling pathways

Opthea announced the publication of a scientific review in the peer-reviewed journal Ophthalmology and Therapy. The publication, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of neovascular AMD supports the scientific rationale for sozinibercept as a potential treatment for wet AMD. The article reviews the growing body of evidence that in retinal diseases, such as wet AMD, the pathophysiology is broader than dysregulation or overproduction of VEGF-A. While therapeutic approaches in wet AMD have mostly focused on targeting VEGF-A signaling, research has shown that VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways are also important to the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. This review highlights the important therapeutic advances and remaining unmet needs for improved therapies targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A. It also discusses the role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling involvement in both health and disease, as well as strategies for targeting VEGF-C/D signaling pathways to address one of the major remaining unmet needs in wet AMD – better visual outcomes. Wet AMD remains the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly, impacting about 3.5 million people in the US and Europe alone. The unmet medical need in wet AMD is significant, with many patients failing to achieve optimal vision outcomes despite treatment with anti-VEGF-A therapies.