MyVisionTest News Archive
Jul 25, 2009
Comparison of Lucentis and Avastin in exudative AMD
A new study finds that Avastin (bevacizumab) and Lucentis (ranibizumab) are equally effective at reducing central foveal point thickness (CFPT) and macular volume, but Avastin has a longer duration of action.
Avastin is a monoclonal antibody against all isoforms of VEGF. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of colorectal cancer. In 2005, the first report of the intravitreal use of Avastin for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was published. Since then, it has been widely used off-label for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Lucentis, on the other hand, is a monoclonal antibody that has been FDA approved for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Although not approved by the FDA for intraocular use, the low cost of Avastin makes it appealing for the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases. However, this has raised legal and ethical concerns.
Retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who received intravitreal Lucentis or Avastin for exudative AMD. A total of 316 patients (202 receiving Lucentis and 114 receiving Avasin) who received a total of 823 injections (313 Lucentis and 510 Avastin) were identified. 74 patients had pre- and post-treatment OCTs performed to determine CFPT and macular volume changes.
Lucentis caused a significant reduction in CFPT (278 µm before treatment vs 227 µm after treatment, p = 0.001) and macular volume (7.22 mm3 vs 6.69 mm3, p = 0.002). Intravitreal Avastin caused a similar reduction in CFPT (288 µm vs 220 µm, p = 0.008) and macular volume (7.36 mm3 vs 6.50 mm3, p<0.001). The mean duration of action was 74.0 days for Lucentis compared with 101.8 days for Avastin (p = 0.036; t test). The ratio of the relative duration of action of Avastin vs Lucentis was 1.40.
The investigators conclude that both drugs are equally effective at reducing CFPT or macular volume. Avastin appears to take longer to achieve the minimum macular volume, and its effects take longer to wear off, suggesting it can be given less often. This is consistent with earlier research that failed to find a difference in the effectiveness of the two drugs at reducing macular thickness, and data suggesting that Avastin keeps patients dry longer than Lucentis.
Read more...
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93:1027-1032
Tags: Avastin, Lucentis, wet AMD
A new study finds that Avastin (bevacizumab) and Lucentis (ranibizumab) are equally effective at reducing central foveal point thickness (CFPT) and macular volume, but Avastin has a longer duration of action.Avastin is a monoclonal antibody against all isoforms of VEGF. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of colorectal cancer. In 2005, the first report of the intravitreal use of Avastin for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was published. Since then, it has been widely used off-label for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Lucentis, on the other hand, is a monoclonal antibody that has been FDA approved for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Although not approved by the FDA for intraocular use, the low cost of Avastin makes it appealing for the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases. However, this has raised legal and ethical concerns.
Lucentis caused a significant reduction in CFPT (278 µm before treatment vs 227 µm after treatment, p = 0.001) and macular volume (7.22 mm3 vs 6.69 mm3, p = 0.002). Intravitreal Avastin caused a similar reduction in CFPT (288 µm vs 220 µm, p = 0.008) and macular volume (7.36 mm3 vs 6.50 mm3, p<0.001). The mean duration of action was 74.0 days for Lucentis compared with 101.8 days for Avastin (p = 0.036; t test). The ratio of the relative duration of action of Avastin vs Lucentis was 1.40.
The investigators conclude that both drugs are equally effective at reducing CFPT or macular volume. Avastin appears to take longer to achieve the minimum macular volume, and its effects take longer to wear off, suggesting it can be given less often. This is consistent with earlier research that failed to find a difference in the effectiveness of the two drugs at reducing macular thickness, and data suggesting that Avastin keeps patients dry longer than Lucentis.
Read more...
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93:1027-1032
