Intravitreal therapy for the management of diabetic retinopathy: A concise review

Table 1 Characteristic features of different anti – vascular endothelial growth factor drugs

Drug	Active molecule	Molecular weight	Dosage	Mechanism of action	Year of FDA approval for use in DR/DME
Bevacizumab	Recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF	145 kDa	1.25 mg/0.05 mL	Non-specific blockade of VEGF on endothelial surface	2004
Ranibizumab	Recombinant humanized, monoclonal antibody fragment	45 kDa	0.5 mg/0.05 mL	Binds VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor	2012
Aflibercept	Recombinant protein and attaches to the VEGF receptor 1 and 2	115 kDa	2 mg/0.05 mL	Blocks VEGF-A, VEGF-B, Placental growth factor-1 and 2	2014
Brolucizumab	Humanized single-chain variable fragment	26 kDa	6 mg/0.05 mL	Inhibits VEGF A and VEGF 165	2022
Faricimab	Bispecific antibody	149 kDa	6 mg/0.05 mL	Targets both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2	2022

FDA: Food and Drug Administration; DR: Diabetic retinopathy; DME: Diabetic macular edema; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor.