Effect of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in combination with verteporfin PDT on normal primate retina and choroid.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of a monoclonal antibody fragment (ranibizumab, also known as rhuFab V2 and Lucentis; Genentech, S. San Francisco, CA) directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on normal primate retina and choroid. METHODS: Eight cynomolgus monkeys were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab in one eye and placebo in the other, alternating with verteporfin PDT in both eyes on a weekly basis for 6 to 7 weeks. Treatment effects were evaluated by color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Over the course of the study, increasing retinal pigment epithelial changes, with corresponding window defects, developed in both eyes of all animals on fluorescein angiography over the course of the study. No complications attributable to the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab were observed. Histologic analysis revealed a similar reduction in choriocapillaris density in the irradiated area of eyes treated with PDT alone compared with those that received combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited study of normal monkey eyes, no severe adverse effects from the combination of intravitreal ranibizumab and verteporfin PDT were demonstrated compared with PDT alone.