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Cortez' Project Page |
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Teacher Intern: Carol Cortez
Mentors: Geoffrey Lewis, Ethan Chapin
Faculty Supervisor: Steven K. Fisher
Department: Biological Sciences |
2006 Research Project: Retinal Penetration and Distribution of Avastin (Bevacizumab)
Following Intravitreal Injection
The antibody Avastin is currently being used to treat different forms of
cancer and eye diseases due to its antiangiogenic properties. Although
Avastin has proven to be effective in patients with neovascular
age-related macular degeneration, its exact method of action is unknown. In
order to better understand its mechanism of action in the eye, we valuated
the retinal penetration and distribution of Avastin and any effects on both
Müller cells and microglia after intravitreal injection.
The retinas were sectioned and labeled with antibodies to detect Avastin using a laser
scanning confocal microscope. The resulting images indicated that Avastin
penetrated the entire width of the retina after 24 hours. , which may explain
the observed clinical effects of the antibody.
Download 2006 Research Project as a PDF file
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