AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS AND TREATMENTS

agerelatedmaculardeg774enerationkapak

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND PHARMACOGENETICS IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT

Armağan Özgür

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Türkiye

Özgür A. Nanotechnology and Pharmacogenetics in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment. In: Çıtırık M, Şekeryapan Gediz B, editors. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Current Investigations and Treatments. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.263-271.

ABSTRACT

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, with current treatments facing limitations such as frequent intravitreal injections, variable patient responses, and systemic side effects. Recent advancements in nanotechnology and pharmacogenetics are transforming AMD management by improving drug delivery mechanisms and enabling personalized treatment approaches. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, including liposomes, nanomicelles, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, dendrimers, and composite drug carriers, enhance drug stability, bioavailability, and targeted retinal delivery. These nanocarriers allow for sustained drug release, reducing injection frequency and minimizing adverse effects. Various administration routes, such as intravitreal, subretinal, and suprachoroidal injections, are being explored to optimize treatment efficacy. Simultaneously, pharmacogenetics is identifying genetic factors that influence treatment responses, with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes like CFH, VEGF-A, ARMS2, and HTRA1 playing a critical role in the effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapies and photodynamic therapy (PDT). For instance, CFH (rs1061170) polymorphisms have been linked to differential responses to bevacizumab and ranibizumab, while variations in VEGF-A (rs699947) may impact the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatments. Additionally, emerging genetic markers, such as ANO2 (rs2110166), have been identified in clinical studies and may further refine treatment strategies. While pharmacogenetics offers promising potential for personalized AMD therapy, further research is necessary to validate genetic associations and incorporate genetic screening into routine clinical practice. The integration of nanotechnology and pharmacogenetics represents a major advancement in AMD treatment, paving the way for more effective, precise, and patient-specific therapies that enhance long-term visual outcomes and treatment adherence

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Nanotechnology; Pharmacogenetics; Drug delivery systems

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