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Therapeutic targets in age-related macular disease
Alan C. Bird
Alan C. Bird
Published September 1, 2010
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2010;120(9):3033-3041. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI42437.
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Review

Therapeutic targets in age-related macular disease

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Abstract

Age-related macular disease (AMD) accounts for more than 50% of blind registration in Western society. Patients with AMD are classified as having early disease, in which visual function is well preserved, or late disease, in which central vision is lost. Until recently, there was no therapy available by which the course of the disorder could be modified. Now, the most common form of late-stage AMD — choroidal neovascularization — responds to treatment with anti-VEGF therapies; although visual loss is modified in a portion of these cases, no therapeutic approach exists that alters the evolution from early to late disease. However, as discussed in this Review, research over the last few years has demonstrated several features of AMD that are likely to be amenable to treatment. Potential targets for treatment are described, and possible therapeutic approaches are discussed.

Authors

Alan C. Bird

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Figure 5

Putative disease pathways in AMD, from the initiators of the process through the intermediate disease processes to the final event.

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Putative disease pathways in AMD, from the initiators of the process thr...
The initiating events are considered to be generated by known as well as unknown genetic and environmental factors that may affect the Bruch membrane/choroid (BM/C), RPE, or photoreceptor cells (PRCs). The metabolic interdependence of the tissues is such that changes in any one would inevitably influence the others, giving rise to a complex of intermediate disease mechanisms of which little is known. The final events of GA, CNV, and PED are partially understood. It is likely that effective therapeutic intervention at any stage of the disease evolution would be of benefit and that successful treatment directed at one tissue would have a beneficial effect on other tissues.

Copyright © 2023 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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