Development of Collapsing Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis After Receiving Intravitreal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Blockade

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a vital factor needed for proper endothelial cell survival, and it is increasingly recognized as an important part of podocyte cellular physiology.1 The disruption of VEGF signaling has been known as a therapeutic target in processes that involve blood vessel proliferation (angiogenesis), and as such, systemically the drugs inhibiting VEGF function are used as anti-neoplastic anti-angiogenesis adjunctive treatments.2 The systemic effects of VEGF blockade were first realized with findings of severe hypertensive crisis (due to nitric oxide signaling depletion) and overt proteinuria.