DOVS News Research Research Publications

New Comprehensive Review on Neovascular Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy by Joseph Lin

New Comprehensive Review on Neovascular Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy by Joseph Lin Published

ST. LOUIS, MO – January 23, 2025 —WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences  is pleased to announce the publication of a new comprehensive review titled “The Landscape of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibition in Retinal Diseases” by Joseph Lin, a dedicated medical student in the Apte Laboratory. The review, published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS) journal, delves into the therapeutic options and challenges in treating neovascular macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, two of the most prevalent causes of vision loss worldwide.

This landmark publication, guided by Dr. Rajendra Apte, provides an in-depth analysis of current treatment modalities, particularly VEGF inhibition, which has been the cornerstone of therapy for the past two decades. The review also explores the potential of novel therapeutic targets—including senescence-related pathways, inflammatory signaling, and Wnt signaling—to improve patient outcomes and address the limitations of existing treatments.

Joseph Lin expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative effort and the opportunity to contribute to this field of research. “I really enjoyed working on this review with Dr. Apte. Aided by Dr. Apte’s expertise, I was able to learn more about the therapeutic options (and their challenges) that are available to treat neovascular macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which are two diseases that we study heavily in Dr. Apte’s research laboratory. As a medical student, I was also energized to learn more about the many exciting new drugs that are in clinical development that may enable ophthalmologists in the future to take even better care of patients,” said Lin.

The review builds on the extensive foundational research conducted by Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, whose pioneering work on VEGF inhibition revolutionized retinal disease treatment. While VEGF-targeting therapies remain a cornerstone, the Apte Lab highlights the promise of emerging therapies that could complement or augment existing approaches.

For more detailed information on the review, please visit Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS) journal and learn more about the Apte Lab at Apte Lab Website.


About WashU Medicine

WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.