SET OF BIOMARKERS TO IDENTIFY EARLY DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, RETINAL ANGIOGENIC DISEASES AND RESISTANCE TO OCULAR ANTI-VEGF THERAPY

摘要

[0046] The present invention relates to a novel set of biomarkers in the aqueous humor to identify early diabetic retinopathy, retinal angiogenic diseases in humans. The invention also relates to the use and classification of biomarkers according to relevance for prognosis of resistance to ocular anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy used for retinal angiogenic diseases. The levels of different soluble proteins such as inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, secreted cell adhesion molecules and pro-angiogenic factors in aqueous humor are analyzed and quantified using cytometric bead array on a flow cytometer. The levels of these biomolecules are compared between the aqueous humor of patients with diabetic retinopathy and normal humans. The levels of biomolecules are compared with the patients responding and non-responding to anti-VEGF therapy. The biomarkers are also useful in prognosis of resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. The identification of biomarkers is also useful for targeted therapy. (FIGURE 2)