Recovery of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations during aflibercept loading phase and after the transition to bimonthly treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

AimsTo provide data on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration during three consecutive monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections and after transition to bimonthly treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).MethodsSixteen consecutive treatment-naïve Caucasian patients with nAMD were included in the study. The treatment consisted of one intravitreal aflibercept (2 mg) injection every 28 days for three consecutive months followed by a fourth injection 8 weeks later. VEGF plasma concentrations were measured with Luminex on day 0 (baseline, prior to first injection); days 1, 6 and 27 (prior to second injection); day 55 (prior to third injection) and days 97 and 111 (after third injection).ResultsBaseline plasma VEGF concentration was 59.6±13.3 pg/mL. Aflibercept decreased plasma VEGF concentration to 32.5±3 pg/mL on day 1 (p