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Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Current Developmental Landscape
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Current Developmental Landscape

Rudra B Amin and Peter K. Kaiser
The journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, v 393(3), Forthcoming
02 Jan 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpet.2026.103803
PMID: 41638110
Featured in Collection :   Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpet.2026.103803View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2026CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

Wet age-related macular degeneration Tyrosine kinase inhibitors Vascular endothelial growth factor Retina Ophthalmology
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in older patients worldwide. The neovascular (“wet”) AMD is characterized by abnormal choroidal neovascularization driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and Tie2 signaling pathways, leading to retinal damage and progressive vision decline. Current standard-of-care anti-VEGF therapies aim to limit choroidal neovascularization through extracellular targeting of cytokines involved in the VEGF signaling pathway implicated in angiogenesis. Although these existing therapies can be effective, many patients face a high treatment burden of multiple intraocular injections, which can negatively impact compliance, safety, and long-term efficacy. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) aim to address these limitations by offering longer durability, broad-spectrum targeting of angiogenic pathways, and a reduction in treatment burden through intracellular targeting of angiogenic pathways. With multiple pharmaceutical TKI candidates advancing through clinical trials and showing promising data, this class of drugs could lead to a shift in future treatment options for wet AMD patients. Despite the progress TKIs have made, there have yet to be any candidates approved for wet AMD treatment. Much of the existing evidence is from early-phase and short-term studies and questions remain about long-term efficacy and safety compared to current standard-of-care anti-VEGF therapies. Nevertheless, as multiple candidates advance through Phase III clinical trials, TKIs have the potential to emerge as a next-generation treatment class that may transform the wet AMD therapeutic landscape.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
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