Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for decreasing or attenuating an increase in capillary permeability in the retina in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering a composition comprising an amount of a phthalazine derivative or a salt thereof to a subject suffering from excessive or pathological capillary permeability in the retina, the amount of phthalazine derivative or salt thereof being effective to decrease the permeability of capillaries in the retina of the subject, in particular where the subject is suffering from macular edema.

Abstract: The invention provides for therapeutic compositions as well as a method of blocking blood vessel growth, a method of promoting neovascularization, a method of promoting the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE-2 receptor, a method of blocking the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE-2 receptor and a method of attenuating or preventing tumor growth in a human.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of a subject suffering from ERM formation or retinal detachment due to ERM formation comprising administering to a subject suffering from ERM formation or retinal detachment due to ERM formation an effective amount of a staurosporine derivative to treat ERM formation or retinal detachment in the eye of the subject, or a salt thereof, are provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject suffering from epiretinal membrane formation or retinal detachment due to epiretinal membrane formation is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the delivery of certain phthalazine derivatives to the retina(s) of a subject in need of treatment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of prophylactically or therapeutically treating choroidal neovascularization, wherein the method comprises directly administering to the eye a therapeutic factor or a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a therapeutic factor, which he expressed to produce the therapeutic factor, to selectively induce apoptosis of endothelial cells associated with neovascularization of the choroid such that choroidal neovascularization is treated prophylactically or therapeutically. The invention also provides a method of prophylactically or therapeutically treating ocular neovascularization, wherein the method comprises directly administering to the eye a nucleic acid sequence encoding a therapeutic factor to promote apoptosis of endothelial cells associated with neovascularization, such that the nucleic acid is expressed thereby producing the therapeutic factor to treat ocular neovascularization prophylactically or therapeutically.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma or resulting in ocular diseases associated with choroidal neovascularization, such as age related macular degeneration and histoplasmosis syndrome, is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated with a therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 &mgr;g. Or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human TIE-2 ligand. In addition, the invention provides for a receptorbody which specifically binds a human TIE-2 ligand. The invention also provides an antibody which specifically binds a human TIE-2 ligand. The invention further provides for an antagonist of human TIE-2. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions as well as a method of blocking blood vessel growth, a method of promoting neovascularization, a method of promoting the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE-2 receptor, a method of blocking the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE-2 receptor and a method of attenuating or preventing tumor growth in a human.

Abstract: Transgenic mammals are provided which develop neovascularization of the retina, similar to that found in a variety of disease states, including diabetes, age related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, sickle cell retinopathy. These mammals can be used as test systems to evaluate potential prophylactic and therapeutic regimens. The effect of a regimen on the neovascularization is indicative of its beneficial effect in a disease state which is associated with neovascularization.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma or resulting in ocular diseases associated with choroidal neovascularization, such as age related macular degeneration and histoplasmosis syndrome, is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated with a therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 &mgr;g. Or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma or resulting in ocular diseases associated with choroidal neovascularization, such as age related macular degeneration and histoplasmosis syndrome, is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated with a therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 &mgr;g. Or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for treatment and prophylaxis of eye disorders and injuries, particularly treatment and prophylaxis of ocular neovascularization and disorders, especially a vasculopathy that affects retinal or chorodial vessels. The methods of the invention in general comprise administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that inhibits farnesyl-protein transferase to a subject suffering from or susceptible to ocular neovascularization or associated disorder.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma or resulting in ocular diseases associated with choroidal neovascularization, such as age related macular degeneration and histoplasmosis syndrome, is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated with a therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 .mu.g. Or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epitelium is ameliorated with a therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 .mu.g, or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.

Abstract: Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium following surgery or trauma is prevented by contacting retinal pigment epithelium cells with a therapeutic amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, preferably one with specific activity for retinoic acid receptors. Preferably the RAR agonist is also a potent antagonist of AP1-dependent gene expression. Alternatively, the proliferation of retinal pigment epitelium is ameliorated witha therapeutic amount of an AP-1 antagonist, alone or in combination with an RAR agonist. The drug can be administered by bolus injection into the vitreous cavity using a dosage from about 50 to 150 .mu.g, or by slow release from liposomes or an oil tamponade injected into the vitreous cavity. Formulations for preventing proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium are also provided.