This new approach to inhibiting blood vessel growth, or angiogenesis, delivers intraceptors that sequester VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), a protein needed to make blood vessels.
In a test tube as well as animal models for corneal injury and melanoma, the new technique has reduced destructive blood vessel proliferation by up to two-thirds. As well as suggesting a promising new preclinical approach to conditions such as corneal injury, wet macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and tumors, these findings indicate an increased benefit compared to other angiogenesis inhibitors which only reduce new blood vessel growth by a maximum of around 50%.
Other angiogenesis inhibitors, in use or under study, target VEGF after it has moved outside the cell and include Regeneron and Sanofi-Aventis’ VEGF trap, Genentech’s Avastin, AEterna Zentaris’ Neovastat and Celgene’s Thalomid.
According to the researchers, in theory, the new approach works several steps ahead of where existing techniques do, with the potential to stop VEGF where it is produced.
Furthermore, preliminary evidence indicates that the technology involved in placing intraceptors inside cells can not only prevent blood vessel formation but also help eliminate existing blood vessels.
Much laboratory work remains before clinical trials are considered as the researchers need to study the process in the retina, as well as conducting additional studies in cancer. Having secured a provisional patent on the technology, however, the MCG is in the process of readying itself for this.