An Overview of the Fovista and Rinucumab Trials and the Fate of Anti-PDGF Medications

The vitreoretinal community will remember 2016 as the year that unfavorable anti–platelet-derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) clinical trial results ended the development of Fovista (pegpleranib; Ophthotech, New York, NY) and Rinucumab (Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY). The failure of these trials reaffirmed how important the innovations made in 2006 with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) were to our field and our patients. Evan N. Dunn, MD, and Veeral S. Sheth, MD, were tasked with analyzing and dissecting the anti-PDGF clinical trials — beginning with the basic science behind anti-PDGF. They will also review novel, multitarget approaches to our diseases, as well as unique routes of delivery such as topical and suprachoroidal administration. Reading this article leads one to appreciate how high the anti-VEGF class of molecules has set the bar for the treatment of vitreoretinal disease. Although recent clinical trial results have been a disappointment to our community (and our patients), we should be reassured by the fact that many development programs are strongly underway investigating novel approaches to treat back-of-the-eye disorders. Drs. Dunn and Sheth's insights will be highly valued by our community.