Usefulness of Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers from Aqueous Humor in Predicting Anti-VEGF Response in Diabetic Macular Edema: Results of a Pilot Study

The objective was to investigate the usefulness of the “liquid biopsy” of aqueous humor (AH) to predict the clinical response after intravitreal injections (IVT) of anti-VEGF agents for treating diabetic macular edema (DME). For this purpose, AH samples obtained during the first anti-VEGF IVT from 31 type two diabetic patients were analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to their anti-VEGF response: rapid responders (n = 11), slow responders (n = 11), and non-responders (n = 9). In addition, patients (n = 7) who showed good response to corticosteroids but a delayed or no response to anti-VEGF therapy were analyzed. Levels of 17 different cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in AH were measured using a multiplex immunoassay. We found higher concentrations of VEGF in rapid responders to anti-VEGF therapy compared to non-responders. In addition, slow responders to anti-VEGF treatment showed higher levels of inflammatory markers than rapid responders, but did not reach statistical significance. Finally, those patients who responded to corticosteroids but not to anti-VEGF therapy showed significantly lower levels of VEGF than patients with rapid response (p = 0.01). In conclusion, “liquid biopsy” of AH could be useful to determine whether the predominant pathogenic event is primarily angiogenic or inflammatory in nature. This approach would allow physicians to select a more rational and cost-effective treatment. Further studies to validate these preliminary results are warranted.