Cardiologist questions safety of Avastin use

Anti-VEGF therapy represents a double-edged sword, it was claimed last week by an internationally renowned cardiologist.

Speaking in London at a briefing organised by Pfizer Ophthalmics, Professor Frank Ruschitzka of Zurich pointed out that the benefits of suppressing VEGF in wet AMD treatment were undeniable. However, it was dangerous for eye care practitioners to always view vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - the molecule responsible for the new vessel growth in the sight-threatening disease - as a threat.

In cardiology, VEGF is often promoted in dealing with common diseases such as angina, and the knock-on effects of non-selective anti-VEGF treatments, such as Lucentis and Avastin, have yet to be fully established.