[thedoc (OP)]

How the eye prevents the destructive growth of blood vessels that would obscure the retina has been discovered...

Read the whole story on our website by clicking here

  

[gshaw]

Nice article.  If we can use sFLT to prevent vascular overgrowth of the retina and cornea, can we use it to develop therapies for cancers, which typically highly vascular and secrete VEGF to induce that vascular ingrowth?

[evan_au]

My father had Macular Degeneration (caused by growth of leaky blood vessels in the retina), which was controlled by bi-monthly injections of Lucentis into his eyeball. (ugh!)

I understand that this medication was originally based an anti-cancer drug which was intended to halt the growth of blood vessels which sustain the cancer.

It's discovery as a treatment for Macular Degeneration was apparently accidental - Macular Degeneration was originally considered as untreatable - but the condition improved in someone on chemotherapy.

[chris]

@Gshaw - Thanks for your interest; and you are absolutely right in your points regarding cancer therapies. One approach is to reduce vascularity of tumours and thereby restrict growth or metastasis. Understanding how tissues do this physiologically will therefore be helpful in applying this technology. Because we cannot just turn off angiogenesis willy-nilly as there might be consequences for vascular or fast-growing organs, like the uterus, or brain. So working out how to target such an effect to a specific body region is likely to be key to successful deployment of this therapeutic approach.