The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors Ranibizumab and Aflibercept Markedly Increase Expression of Atherosclerosis-Associated Inflammatory Mediators on Vascular Endothelial Cells

摘要

IntroductionRecent studies have suggested that the VEGF inhibitors, Ranibizumab and Aflibercept may be associated with an excess of cardiovascular events, potentially driven by increasing atheroma instability, leading to plaque rupture and clinical events. Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque and particularly conversion to an unstable phenotype. Here, we sought to assess the in vitro effects of these drugs on the expression of key inflammatory mediators on endothelial cells.