Anti-VEGFR2 Antibody-modified Micelle for Triggered Drug Delivery and Effective Therapy of Choroidal Neovascularization

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether DC101 (anti-VEGFR2 antibody)- modified micelles have applications as novel drug delivery devices, which allow small molecule antiangiogenic agents to deliver to angiogenic sites on a murine laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model. Materials and Methods: CNV was induced by photocoagulation on the unilateral eye of each mouse under anesthesia. Immediately after laser coagulation, E7974-loaded DC101-modified micelles and motesanib-loaded DC101-modified micelles were intravitreally administrated. Two weeks after photocoagulation, CNV was visualized using fluorescein-conjugated dextran (MW=2,000 kDa), and the CNV area was measured in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroidal flat mounts. Results: Intravitreal administration of both DC101-modified micelles loaded with E7974 at 2 μM and motesanib at 2 μM significantly reduced CNV area in the murine laser-induced CNV model at a clearly lower concentration than the effective dose of each agent. Conclusion: These results suggest that DC101-modified micelle might be effective drug carrier system for treating CNV and other ocular angiogenic diseases.