The inhibitory effect of thalidomide analogue on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of thalidomide analogue CC-3052 on corneal neovascularization in the rabbit model.

METHODS

Corneal neovascularization was induced in 15 rabbits by a silk suture in the corneal stroma. At 1 week after suturing, 30 eyes were divided into 5 groups of 6 eyes each. Three groups were treated with topical CC-3052 at 3 different concentrations: 0.25% (group 1), 0.5% (group 2), and 1.0% (group 3). All treatments were performed twice a day for a week. A 0.5% concentration of CC-3052 was injected subconjunctivally once in group 4. In group 5, a topical balanced salt solution was added twice a day for a week as the experimental control group. Rabbit corneas were photographed by a digital camera and examined by the operating microscope. Half of the corneal specimens were analyzed histopathologically, and the other half were used to measure the concentration of tumor necrosis factor α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The neovascularized area was decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control group. There was a significant difference in the percentage and score of corneal neovascularization between the control and all treatment groups. Inflammation, fibroblast, neovascularization, and anti-VEGF antibody intensities were significantly lower in the control group. The concentration of VEGF and tumor necrosis factor α was significantly lower in the control group. There was no difference between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical and subconjunctival administration of thalidomide analogue CC-3052 was found to be effective for the inhibition of corneal neovascularization.