verteporfin

Verteporfin is a benzoporphyrin derivative used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) primarily for the treatment of abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, such as that seen in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathologic myopia, and ocular histoplasmosis. When administered intravenously and activated by nonthermal red light (typically 690–693 nm) in the presence of oxygen, verteporfin generates highly reactive singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species. This leads to local damage to neovascular endothelium, resulting in occlusion of abnormal blood vessels through platelet aggregation, fibrin clot formation, and vasoconstriction. Verteporfin preferentially accumulates in neovasculature but can also be present elsewhere in the retina. Beyond its ophthalmic use as a photosensitizer, verteporfin has been shown to inhibit Yes-associated protein (YAP) function by disrupting YAP-TEAD interaction—an effect relevant for cancer research independent of photoactivation[1][2][3][5][6][7][8].

Brand names

Visudyne

Other names

benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring Averteporfin