New advances in pharmacological research for retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disease that threatens the vision of premature infants. Various novel drugs have demonstrated therapeutic potential for ROP by targeting signaling pathways associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), including PI3K/AKT, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/VEGF, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Notch pathways. Propranolol, insulin-like growth factor-1, and celecoxib attenuate pathological neovascularization via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Tripterine and melatonin inhibit retinal neovascularization by modulating the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis. Adiponectin mitigates oxidative stress damage and preserves endothelial function by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress TNF-α-mediated inflammatory responses, modulate retinal development and angiogenesis, and reduce retinal neovascular lesions. The γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT blocks Notch signaling to suppress abnormal vascular proliferation. These agents exhibit synergistic multi-pathway anti-angiogenic effects in preclinical models and early-phase clinical trials, offering critical insights for advancing drug development and clinical translation in ROP management.