A novel platelet-derived growth factor currently being studied in clinical trials may boost the effect of anti-VEGF therapy and provide a benefit in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration, according to a speaker at the at Retina 2010 meeting. A phase 1 trial of E10030 (Ophthotech), a PDGF-B...

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...

Two large-scale randomized clinical trials demonstrate that anti-VEGF therapy significantly improves vision in patients with central or branch retinal vein occlusion, according to a speaker at the Retina 2010 meeting. In the CRUISE study, 130 patients who received a 0.5-mg dose of Lucentis (ranibizumab) in six monthly doses had a mean gain of 14...

The MARINA and ANCHOR clinical trials of Lucentis (ranibizumab) therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) followed a fixed dosage regimen and fixed duration of 2 years. Hence, the trials did not provide any information about the “when to stop” endpoint. Because anti-VEGF drugs are angiostatic - they inactivate rather than...

Intravitreal Lucentis (ranibizumab) injections in patients with neovascular AMD results in decreased aqueous levels of VEGF and increased levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Methods and results In this prospective clinical trial 28 eyes of patients with neovascular AMD were compared with 28 eyes of age-matched patients with...

Treat and Extend is an effective dosing strategy for the treatment of patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation, according to a new study. Since the first suggestion of a non-monthly dosing regimen in the PrONTO study, many retinal specialists have moved toward dosing individualization, with maintenance therapy provided on an as-needed...

The vision of patients with persistent or reactivated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) that had been previously treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) improve less than treatment-naive patients. Baseline assessments including best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography (FFA), and optical coherent tomography (OCT) were performed....

Lucentis (ranibizumab) is ineffective in treating avascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 1 year follow-up period, according to a new study. A PED occurs when fluid enters the space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid (Figure). A serous PED is when aqueous...

Lucentis (ranibizumab) therapy produces a significantly better visual outcome than focal/grid laser in diabetic macular edema (DME), according to a new study. Diabetic retinopathy is the most prevalent cause of vision loss in working-age individuals in developed countries. Severe vision loss occurs because of tractional retinal detachments that...

Although temporary increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) are a known adverse effect of anti-VEGF medications for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), some patients develop persistent IOP — even without predisposing risk factors, according to research presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Whether this adverse...