# VEGF Antagonism and Resistance to Neovascular AMD

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2021 · $376,480

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Neovascularization is a hallmark of many ocular diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is a progressive and degenerative disease that affects individuals typically over the age of 60 leading to
vision loss. The proangiogenic activity of VEGF contributes to the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD (nAMD).
Thus, the treatment of choice for nAMD is intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF. Unfortunately, for unknown
reasons a significant number of patients have poor to no response with anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD. Since
anti-VEGF therapy comes with increased treatment burden and risk of vision complications including retinal
atrophy and endophthalmitis, identifying patients likely to respond prior to the onset of treatment is beneficial.
Our hypothesis is that Bim, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, restrains VEGF-driven inflammation
and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In this proposal we will take the innovative approach of
determining whether genetic variation in Bim expression is responsible for anti-VEGF therapy failure for nAMD.
The aims proposed here will determine whether Bim expression is required for anti-VEGF treatment to
normalize endothelial cell permeability and proangiogenic properties. We will test the hypothesis that Bim
expression is needed for the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment of nAMD and determine whether Bim single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) modulate the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment. Together these studies will
give us a unique perspective as to whether Bim polymorphisms impede the success of anti-VEGF therapy for
nAMD. Thus, development of a biomarker will alleviate the treatment burden and potential vision risks
associated with anti-VEGF therapy if no beneficial outcome will be obtained.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10077288
- **Project number:** 5R01EY030076-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTINE M SORENSON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $376,480
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10077288

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10077288, VEGF Antagonism and Resistance to Neovascular AMD (5R01EY030076-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10077288. Licensed CC0.

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