anecortave

Anecortave is a synthetic small molecule analog of cortisol acetate developed as an angiogenesis inhibitor for ophthalmic use. It lacks the typical anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of glucocorticoids due to structural modifications (removal of the 11β hydroxyl group and addition of a 21-acetate group). Its primary mechanism is inhibition of neovascularization by decreasing extracellular protease expression and inhibiting endothelial cell migration. Anecortave was investigated mainly for exudative (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with additional studies in dry AMD and glaucoma. The drug was delivered via posterior juxtascleral depot injection to minimize intraocular risks and allow sustained release over six months. Despite promising early results in stabilizing vision loss in wet AMD patients compared to placebo or photodynamic therapy with verteporfin, development was discontinued after phase III trials failed to demonstrate sufficient efficacy over existing therapies[1][2][3][4][5][7].

Brand names

Retaane

Other names

anecortave acetateRetaane suspension4,9(11)-pregnadien-17alpha,21-diol-3,20-dione-21-acetate