Combination Lucentis plus radiation therapy appears promising Interim analysis of a pilot study of combination anti-VEGF therapy and externally delivered radiation for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration has shown encouraging visual acuity and anatomical outcomes and no safety signals, according to a speaker at the Retina 2010 meeting.

The IRay system (Oraya Therapeutics) delivers radiation through three sequential beams passed through the pars plana in an eye fixated with aid of a suction contact lens and followed with eye-tracking software, Dr Andrew A. Moshfeghi said. The design of the device is intended to address localization concerns that increased risk of collateral retinal damage in previous devices.

"With this approach, you are able to get a very precise, focused beam of radiation on the targeted treatment area on the macula and to avoid collateral damage to the optic nerve," Dr. Moshfeghi said.

In a group of patients treated with 16 Gy of radiation, the mean number of Lucentis (ranibizumab) injections per patient was 2.9, which included two doses delivered at baseline and 1-month treatment after radiation; 56% of patients required no additional doses beyond the two mandated for trial enrollment, Dr. Moshfeghi said.

Read more...
OSN Supersite