The effects of lapatinib and trastuzumab ın experımental corneal neovascularızatıon

Neovascularization is a part of normal growth physiology and homeostatic mechanisms, but in the transparent cornea it may result in a sight-threatening condition. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Trastuzumab and Lapatinib in experimental corneal neovascularization.Five groups which contained seven Wistar albino rats were formed. A silver nitrat pencil was applied on the right cornea of the rats and cauterized for corneal neovascularization. Corneas in group I (control) were not cauterized and not given any treatment. Rats in group II (sham) were received systemic saline and in group III (Lapatinib) were received 50 mg/kg Lapatinib orally by gavage. Rats in group IV (Trastuzumab) were administered 4 mg/kg Trastuzumab intraperitoneally. In group V (Lapatinib+Trastuzumab) rats were also received 50 mg/kg Lapatinib orally by gavage and 4 mg/kg Trastuzumab intraperitoneally together. All the rats were treated for seven days. Corneal photographs were taken on the 8th day and the corneal surface covered with neovascular vessels was measured on the photographs as the percentage of the total area of the cornea. All the animals were sacrificed on the 8th day and corneas were excised by using 4 mm punch. All corneas were divided into two equal parts, one which of was evaluated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) immunostaining in epithelial and stromal layers of corneas and staining intensivity was determined semicantitatively. The other part of the corneas? VEGF leves were assayed via ELISA.The percentage of neovascularization area to the total corneal surface in all treated groups were smaller than sham group (p<0.05). Group III and group V were similar to each other but they were smaller than group IV. The mean VEGF immunostaining intensity and VEGF ELISA leves of corneas in treatment groups were lesser than sham group but similar to conrol group. The corneal VEGF ELISA levels and the corneal mean VEGF immunostaining intensity in group III and V were similar to each other but they were smaller than group IV.In conclusion, systemic administration of Lapatinib and Trastuzumab is effective in prevention of corneal neovascularization. Systemic administration of Lapatinib and Trastuzumab also decreases the leves of VEGF which is the potential target for neovascularization. Lapatinib is more effective than Trastuzumab but the effect of Lapatinib plus Trastuzumab is similar to Lapatinib alone.