Pegaptanib

VEGF-A promotes angiogenesis. Patients with certain ocular conditions, such as the wet form of age related macular degeneration (AMD), have increased levels of VEGF-A. VEGF-A, in patients with wet AMD, also increases vascular permeability and inflammation in the eye, leading to progression of the condition. Pegaptanib is a pegylated oligonucleotide that selectively binds VEGF165, the isoform most responsible for VEGF-A's pathological action in wet AMD. This binding prevents VEGF165 from binding to its receptors, slowing or preventing further progression of wet AMD. Pegaptanib does not inhibit VEGF121, the physiological isoform.