Anecortave acetate (Retaane) is an analog of cortisol acetate; among the modifications to the steroid are the removal of the 11ß hydroxyl OH group and an addition of a 21-acetate group. As a result of these modifications, anecortave acetate lacks the typical antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of glucocorticoids.Alcon Inc. is developing and marketing Retaane. (en)
Anecortave acetate functions as an antiangiogenic agent, inhibiting blood vessel growth by decreasing extracellular protease expression and inhibiting endothelial cell migration. Its angiostatic activity does not seem to be mediated through any of the commonly known pharmacological receptors. (Ophthalmology 2004;111:2316-7) RETAANE blocks signals from multiple growth factors because it acts downstream and independent of the initiating angiogenic stimuli and inhibits angiogenesis subsequent to the angiogenic stimulation. (en)