Hot Topics in Pharmacogenetics of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(4):547-550. doi: 10.2174/1381612822666161208114847.

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible visual loss and is primarily treated with nutritional supplementation as well as with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for certain patients with neovascular disease. AMD is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. In addition, treatment outcomes from nutritional supplementation and anti-VEGF agents vary considerably. Therefore, it is reasonable to suspect that there may be pharmacogenetic influences on these treatments. Many series have reported individual associations with variants in complement factor H (CFH), age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), and other loci. However, at this time there are no validated associations. With respect to AMD, pharmacogenetics remains an intriguing area of research but is not helpful for routine clinical management.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD); age-related eye disease study (AREDS); age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2); complement factor H (CFH); pharmacogenetics; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Macular Degeneration / genetics
  • Pharmacogenetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors