Texas Retina’s Ashkan M. Abbey, MD, recently participated in a continuing medical education (CME) program through ReachMD, titled, “Redefining Durability in nAMD: The Science and Strategy of Sustained-Delivery TKIs.”
During the program, Dr. Abbey joined his friend and colleague, Rishi Singh, MD, of Mass Eye and Ear at Mass General Brigham, to discuss how sustained-delivery tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) could redefine durability in the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Rather than focusing solely on extending treatment intervals, sustained-delivery TKIs have the potential to provide more continuous suppression of the VEGF pathway and improved long-term disease control. The discussion also highlights emerging clinical data and Phase 3 development strategies for this promising therapeutic approach.
Understanding Sustained-Delivery TKIs
Sustained TKIs are advanced, long-acting drug treatments designed to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in retinal diseases like wet AMD while decreasing the need for frequent intravitreal eye injections. These therapies work by slowly releasing small-molecule medications in or around the eye over an extended period, potentially maintaining therapeutic drug levels for several months.
“With the TKIs for wet AMD, our goal is to block intracellular VEGF receptors and reduce the treatment burden for patients, many of whom currently require routine anti-VEGF injections every four to eight weeks to help preserve their vision,” explains Dr. Abbey.
Clinicians can click HERE to access the full 30-minute ReachMD CME, available in multiple formats, including video, audio, podcast and transcript.
About Dr. Abbey
Dr. Abbey serves as Texas Retina’s Director of Clinical Research for Dallas and cares for patients in our Dallas Main and Rockwall offices. He has served as a Principal Investigator for several pivotal clinical trials evaluating sustained-delivery TKIs for wet AMD, including DAVIO 1 and DAVIO 2, as well as the current Phase 3 trials, LUGANO and LUCIA.
Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Abbey.