Table 2 Classification and application of anti-VEGF drugs

Monoclonal antibody

Bevacizumab

Binds to circulating VEGF, thereby inhibiting binding to its cell surface receptors thus limits blood supply to tumor tissue

2004

Off label use in ophthalmology

Colorectal cancer

Non-squamous & non-small cell lung cancer

[65, 66]

Antibody derivative

Ranibizumab

Binds to receptor binding site on VEGF-A & blocks all isoforms of VEGF-A

2006

Age-related macular degeneration

Macular edema

Diabetic retinopathy

[67]

Aptamer

Pegaptanib

Binds to extracellular VEGF₁₆₅ thereby inhibits binding to the VEGF receptor

2004

Age-related macular degeneration

[68]

Oral small molecule (Inhibit tyrosine kinases)

Lapatinib

Inhibits intracellular tyrosine kinase domains of epidermal and human epidermal growth receptors

2007

Certain type of breast cancer

[69, 70]

Sunitinib

Inhibits multiple receptor tyrosine kinase and also PDGFR and VEGFRs

2006

Certain types of cancer (kidney, pancreas and intestinal)

[71]

Sorafenib

Interacts with multiple cell surface and multiple intracellular kinases. Therefore, inhibits transcription

2005

Used to treat kidney, liver and thyroid cancers

[72, 73]

Fusion proteins

Aflibercept

It functions as a decoy receptor for ligands

2011

Age-related macular degeneration

Diabetic retinopathy

[74]

Miscellaneous

siRNA-Bevasiranib

It is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) drug that works by silencing the specific genes that induce VEGF

–

Age-related macular degeneration

Diabetic retinopathy

[75]

adPEDF

Rapidly increases intraocular levels of adPEDF protein in the eye and hinders unusual development of blood vessel

–

In the treatment of macular degeneration

[76, 77]