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Retinal Fluid Volatility Associated With Interval Tolerance and Visual Outcomes in Diabetic Macular Edema in the VISTA Phase III Trial.
Ehlers, JP, Uchida, A, Sevgi, DD, Hu, M, Reed, K, Berliner, A, Vitti, R, Chu, K, Srivastava, SK
American journal of ophthalmology. 2021;:217-227
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PURPOSE To describe longitudinal retinal fluid dynamics on spectral domain OCT and to identify imaging biomarkers that predict the worsening of DME with interval extension during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. DESIGN A post hoc sub-analysis of phase III, VISTA-DME study. METHODS Eyes received either intravitreal aflibercept injection 2 mg every 4 weeks (2q4) or every 8 weeks after 5 initial monthly injections (2q8), and eyes imaged with the Cirrus HD-OCT system were included. The macular cube was analyzed for 10 time-points from baseline through week 100. Retinal OCT images were evaluated using a novel software platform to extract retinal fluid features for calculation of volumetric fluid parameters, including the retinal fluid index (RFI): the percentage of retinal volume that was occupied by intraretinal fluid. RESULTS Fifty-five eyes were included in the 2q4 group, and 58 eyes were included in the 2q8 group. Early RFI volatility with a central macular RFI increase by ≥5 points from week 4 to 8 (P = .004, odds ratio [OR] 31.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0 to 329) and cumulative RFI volatility with an aggregate increase in macular RFI by ≥10 points from those timepoints with increased RFI between baseline to week 20, P = .005, OR 10.2, 95% CI 2.1 to 51.3) were both significant predictors for the worsening of DME and visual acuity when the treatment interval was extended to 8 weeks in the 2q8 group. CONCLUSIONS Early fluid dynamics as measured by (1) early RFI volatility and (2) cumulative RFI instability with aggregate increased RFI were associated with intolerance of interval extension.
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Optimizing treatment of renal cell carcinoma with VEGFR-TKIs: a comparison of clinical pharmacology and drug-drug interactions of anti-angiogenic drugs.
Fogli, S, Porta, C, Del Re, M, Crucitta, S, Gianfilippo, G, Danesi, R, Rini, BI, Schmidinger, M
Cancer treatment reviews. 2020;:101966
Abstract
Anti-angiogenic treatment is an important option that has changed the therapeutic landscape in various tumors, particularly in patients affected by renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Agents that block signaling pathways governing tumor angiogenesis have raised high expectations among clinicians. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) comprise a heterogeneous class of drugs with distinct pharmacological profiles, including potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions. Among them, tivozanib is one of the last TKIs introduced in the clinical practice; this drug selectively targets VEGFRs, it is characterized by a favorable pharmacokinetics and safety profile and has been approved as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC). In this article, we describe the clinical pharmacology of selected VEGFR-TKIs used for the treatment of mRCC, highlighting the relevant differences; moreover we aim to define the main pharmacologic characteristics of these drug.
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Association of Intravitreal Aflibercept With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Vessel Density in Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Alagorie, AR, Nittala, MG, Velaga, S, Zhou, B, Rusakevich, AM, Wykoff, CC, Sadda, SR
JAMA ophthalmology. 2020;(8):851-857
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IMPORTANCE Although previous studies have evaluated the association between anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and macular vessel density, they were confounded by the presence of macular edema, which may be associated with artifacts and segmentation errors in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of intravitreal aflibercept with changes in macular vascular density using OCTA in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy without diabetic macular edema. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial used data on 40 eyes of 40 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy without diabetic macular edema who were enrolled in the Intravitreal Aflibercept for Retinal Nonperfusion in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (RECOVERY) clinical trial from August 1, 2016, to June 31, 2017. Three patients were lost to follow-up at month 12, and 5 patients were excluded from analysis because of poor OCTA image quality, leaving 16 patients in each cohort in the final analysis. Data analysis was performed from March 1, 2018, to January 15, 2019. INTERVENTION In the RECOVERY trial, patients were randomized into cohorts receiving 2 mg of aflibercept injections monthly (n = 20) or quarterly (n = 20) and treated for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The percentage of vascular density (in total scan and foveal and parafoveal regions) was compared before and after 12 months of therapy. RESULTS The sample for this OCTA analysis included 32 eyes from 32 patients (mean [SD] age, 48.37 [12.30] years; 17 [53.1%] male). The mean (SD) total scan vascular density for the superficial vascular complex was 42.28% (4.03%; 95% CI, 40.63%-43.93%) at baseline and 39.64% (4.01%; 95% CI, 37.91%-41.37%) at month 12 (P = .69). For the deep vascular complex, the mean (SD) vascular density was 48.42% (4.99%; 95% CI, 46.36%-50.47%) at baseline and 45.69% (4.63%; 95% CI, 43.69%-47.70%) at month 12 (P = .40). For the choriocapillaris, the mean (SD) vascular density was 64.42% (3.36%; 95% CI, 63.04%-65.81%) at baseline and 62.55% (4.79%; 95% CI, 60.48%-64.62%) at month 12 (P = .16). There was no difference in vascular density parameters between monthly and quarterly injection arms at month 12. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, macular vascular density did not change after 12 months of intravitreal aflibercept therapy. Because nonperfusion is expected to progress in diabetic retinopathy, this finding may represent a beneficial association between anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and macular vascular density. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02863354.
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Effect of Intravitreous Aflibercept vs Vitrectomy With Panretinal Photocoagulation on Visual Acuity in Patients With Vitreous Hemorrhage From Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Antoszyk, AN, Glassman, AR, Beaulieu, WT, Jampol, LM, Jhaveri, CD, Punjabi, OS, Salehi-Had, H, Wells, JA, Maguire, MG, Stockdale, CR, et al
JAMA. 2020;(23):2383-2395
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IMPORTANCE Vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy can cause loss of vision. The best management approach is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare initial treatment with intravitreous aflibercept vs vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation for vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized clinical trial at 39 DRCR Retina Network sites in the US and Canada including 205 adults with vison loss due to vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy who were enrolled from November 2016 to December 2017. The final follow-up visit was completed in January 2020. INTERVENTIONS Random assignment of eyes (1 per participant) to aflibercept (100 participants) or vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation (105 participants). Participants whose eyes were assigned to aflibercept initially received 4 monthly injections. Both groups could receive aflibercept or vitrectomy during follow-up based on protocol criteria. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was mean visual acuity letter score (range, 0-100; higher scores indicate better vision) over 24 weeks (area under the curve); the study was powered to detect a difference of 8 letters. Secondary outcomes included mean visual acuity at 4 weeks and 2 years. RESULTS Among 205 participants (205 eyes) who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 57 [11] years; 115 [56%] men; mean visual acuity letter score, 34.5 [Snellen equivalent, 20/200]), 95% (195 of 205) completed the 24-week visit and 90% (177 of 196, excluding 9 deaths) completed the 2-year visit. The mean visual acuity letter score over 24 weeks was 59.3 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) (95% CI, 54.9 to 63.7) in the aflibercept group vs 63.0 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) (95% CI, 58.6 to 67.3) in the vitrectomy group (adjusted difference, -5.0 [95% CI, -10.2 to 0.3], P = .06). Among 23 secondary outcomes, 15 showed no significant difference. The mean visual acuity letter score was 52.6 (Snellen equivalent, 20/100) in the aflibercept group vs 62.3 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) in the vitrectomy group at 4 weeks (adjusted difference, -11.2 [95% CI, -18.5 to -3.9], P = .003) and 73.7 (Snellen equivalent, 20/40) vs 71.0 (Snellen equivalent, 20/40) at 2 years (adjusted difference, 2.7 [95% CI, -3.1 to 8.4], P = .36). Over 2 years, 33 eyes (33%) assigned to aflibercept received vitrectomy and 34 eyes (32%) assigned to vitrectomy received subsequent aflibercept. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among participants whose eyes had vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome of mean visual acuity letter score over 24 weeks following initial treatment with intravitreous aflibercept vs vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation. However, the study may have been underpowered, considering the range of the 95% CI, to detect a clinically important benefit in favor of initial vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02858076.
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Five-Year Outcomes after Initial Aflibercept, Bevacizumab, or Ranibizumab Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema (Protocol T Extension Study).
Glassman, AR, Wells, JA, Josic, K, Maguire, MG, Antoszyk, AN, Baker, C, Beaulieu, WT, Elman, MJ, Jampol, LM, Sun, JK
Ophthalmology. 2020;(9):1201-1210
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PURPOSE Assess follow-up treatment and clinical outcomes at 5 years in eyes initially treated with anti-VEGF therapy for center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) in a 2-year randomized clinical trial. DESIGN Multicenter cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Participants with diabetic macular edema (DME) and visual acuity (VA) 20/32 to 20/320 enrolled in DRCR.net Protocol T with visits 5 years after randomization (3 years after Protocol T completion). METHODS Participants were assigned randomly to aflibercept, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab with protocol-defined follow-up and re-treatment for 2 years. Thereafter, participants were managed at clinician discretion and recalled for a 5-year visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, VA letter score, and central subfield thickness (CST). RESULTS Sixty-eight percent (317/463) of eligible participants completed the 5-year visit. Between years 2 and 5, 68% (217/317) of study eyes received at least 1 anti-VEGF treatment (median, 4; interquartile range [IQR], 0-12). At 5 years, mean VA improved from baseline by 7.4 letters (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9-9.0) but decreased by 4.7 letters (95% CI, 3.3-6.0) between 2 and 5 years. When baseline VA was 20/50 to 20/320, mean 5-year VA was 11.9 letters (95% CI, 9.3-14.5) better than baseline but 4.8 letters (95% CI, 2.5-7.0) worse than 2 years. When baseline VA was 20/32 to 20/40, mean 5-year VA was 3.2 letters (95% CI, 1.4-5.0) better than baseline but 4.6 letters (95% CI, 3.1-6.1) worse than 2 years. Mean CST decreased from baseline to 5 years by 154 μm (95% CI, 142-166) and was stable between 2 and 5 years (-1 μm; 95% CI, -12 to 9). CONCLUSIONS Among the two-thirds of eligible Protocol T participants who completed a 5-year visit, mean VA improved from baseline to 5 years without protocol-defined treatment after follow-up ended at 2 years. Although mean retinal thickness was similar at 2 and 5 years, mean VA worsened during this period. Additional investigation into strategies to improve long-term outcomes in eyes with DME seems warranted to determine if VA can be better maintained with different management approaches.
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Intravitreal Aflibercept injection with Panretinal photocoagulation versus early Vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage: randomized clinical trial.
Abd Elhamid, AH, Mohamed, AAEA, Khattab, AM
BMC ophthalmology. 2020;(1):130
Abstract
BACKGROUND To compare efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injection with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) versus early vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (VH). METHODS Prospective, randomized study that included 34 eyes with diabetic VH. They were divided into two groups, Group Ι (17 eyes) received three successive IVA injections followed by PRP and group ΙΙ (17 eyes) for whom early vitrectomy was done. Follow up was carried out after one, two, three, six and nine months. The primary outcome measure was change in the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after nine months, secondary outcome measures were mean duration of clearance of VH and rate of recurrent hemorrhage with any additional treatment in both groups. Complications were reported. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference regarding initial demographic criteria between both groups. The mean final log MAR BCVA was statistically better than the initial BCVA in both groups (0.51 ± 0.20, 1.17 ± 0.48 for group I and 0.48 ± 0.18, 1.44 ± 0.44 for group II, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the mean final Log Mar BCVA (0.51 ± 0.20 for group I, 0.48 ± 0.18 for group II, p ≥ 0.05), the mean duration of clearance of VH was 7.8 ± 1.8 weeks, 5 days for group I and II respectively. PRP was completely done for all eyes in group I after three months. The difference in the recurrence rate between group I (29.4%) and group II (11.8%) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Vitrectomy was done for three eyes (17.6%) due to recurrent non-resolving VH in group I. late recurrent VH occurred in two eyes (11.8%) in group II, IVA was given with complete clearance of the hemorrhage. No vision threatening complications were reported in both groups. CONCLUSION Both intravitreal injection of aflibercept followed by PRP and early vitrectomy are effective and safe modalities for treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Early vitrectomy leads to faster vision gain with less incidence of recurrence than intravitreal injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION Randomized clinical trial under the number of NCT04153253 on November 6, 2019 "Retrospectively registered".
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Can subthreshold micropulse yellow laser treatment change the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor algorithm in diabetic macular edema? A randomized clinical trial.
Kanar, HS, Arsan, A, Altun, A, Akı, SF, Hacısalihoglu, A
Indian journal of ophthalmology. 2020;(1):145-151
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PURPOSE To compare the efficacy of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (SMYL) and intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) combination therapy with IAI monotherapy in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and to evaluate the number of injections and SMYL sessions required. METHODS This prospective study compared a group of 28 patients treated with a combination of SMYL and IAI with a group of 28 patients treated only with IAI. All patients initially received 3 monthly IAIs, and the monotherapy group was given additional injections as needed. The combination therapy patients additionally received SMYL after the loading phase. The primary outcome measures were the change in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline to month 12; the secondary outcomes were the mean number of required injections and SMYL sessions. RESULTS In the monotherapy group, the BCVA improved from 0.38 ± 0.10 to 0.20 ± 0.10 logMAR; in the combination group, BCVA improved from 0.40 ± 0.09 to 0.17 ± 0.06 logMAR at the end of the 12th month. The CMT was reduced from 451.28 ± 44.85 to 328.8 ± 49.69 μm in the monotherapy group and from 466.07 ± 71.79 to 312.0 ± 39.29 μm in the combination group. Improvement of the mean BCVA and reduction of the mean CMT were similar in each group. The combination group required significantly fewer injections (3.21 ± 0.41 vs 5.39 ± 1.54; P < 0.001). By month 12, 75% of patients in the monotherapy group had required additional IAIs when compared with 16% in the combination group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION SMYL combination therapy demonstrated significant visual improvements in patients with DME. In the combination group, the retreatment rate and number of required injections were significantly lower compared with the IAI monotherapy group.
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Effect of Initial Management With Aflibercept vs Laser Photocoagulation vs Observation on Vision Loss Among Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Involving the Center of the Macula and Good Visual Acuity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Baker, CW, Glassman, AR, Beaulieu, WT, Antoszyk, AN, Browning, DJ, Chalam, KV, Grover, S, Jampol, LM, Jhaveri, CD, Melia, M, et al
JAMA. 2019;(19):1880-1894
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IMPORTANCE Intravitreous injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are effective for treating diabetic macular edema (DME) involving the center of the macula (center-involved DME [CI-DME]) with visual acuity impairment (20/32 or worse). The best approach to treating patients with CI-DME and good visual acuity (20/25 or better) is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare vision loss at 2 years among eyes initially managed with aflibercept, laser photocoagulation, or observation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized clinical trial conducted at 91 US and Canadian sites among 702 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Participants had 1 study eye with CI-DME and visual acuity of 20/25 or better. The first participant was randomized on November 8, 2013, and the final date of follow-up was September 11, 2018. INTERVENTIONS Eyes were randomly assigned to 2.0 mg of intravitreous aflibercept (n = 226) as frequently as every 4 weeks, focal/grid laser photocoagulation (n = 240), or observation (n = 236). Aflibercept was required for eyes in the laser photocoagulation or observation groups that had decreased visual acuity from baseline by at least 10 letters (≥ 2 lines on an eye chart) at any visit or by 5 to 9 letters (1-2 lines) at 2 consecutive visits. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was at least a 5-letter visual acuity decrease from baseline at 2 years. Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration adverse events (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or vascular or unknown death) were reported. RESULTS Among 702 randomized participants (mean age, 59 years; 38% female [n=264]), 625 of 681 (92% excluding deaths) completed the 2-year visit. For eyes with visual acuity that decreased from baseline, aflibercept was initiated in 25% (60/240) and 34% (80/236) in the laser photocoagulation and observation groups, respectively. At 2 years, the percentage of eyes with at least a 5-letter visual acuity decrease was 16% (33/205), 17% (36/212), and 19% (39/208) in the aflibercept, laser photocoagulation, and observation groups, respectively (aflibercept vs laser photocoagulation risk difference, -2% [95% CI, -9% to 5%]; relative risk, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.57-1.35; P = .79]; aflibercept vs observation risk difference, -3% [95% CI, -11% to 4%]; relative risk, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.55-1.27; P = .79]; laser photocoagulation vs observation risk difference, -1% [95% CI, -9% to 6%]; relative risk, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.64-1.41; P = .79]). Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration vascular events occurred in 15 (7%), 13 (5%), and 8 (3%) participants in the aflibercept, laser photocoagulation, and observation groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among eyes with CI-DME and good visual acuity, there was no significant difference in vision loss at 2 years whether eyes were initially managed with aflibercept or with laser photocoagulation or observation and given aflibercept only if visual acuity worsened. Observation without treatment unless visual acuity worsens may be a reasonable strategy for CI-DME. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01909791.
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Ziv-aflibercept versus bevacizumab administration prior to diabetic vitrectomy: a randomised and controlled trial.
Aleman, I, Castillo Velazquez, J, Rush, SW, Rush, RB
The British journal of ophthalmology. 2019;(12):1740-1746
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) administered preoperatively to patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for severe manifestations of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DESIGN Randomised clinical trial (RCT). METHODS Two hundred and six patients with PDR-related complications requiring PPV were randomised into one of two treatment groups: Group A received IVZ (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) 1-10 days before PPV, while Group B received IVB (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) 1-10 days before PPV. The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were perioperative tractional retinal detachment (TRD) rates, surgical times, intraoperative and postoperative complications and incidence of unplanned PPV during the 6 month study interval. RESULTS One hundred and seventy three subjects underwent PPV and completed the 6-month follow-up interval. Group A subjects had better BCVA at 6 months (p=0.0035), shorter surgical times (p=0.0013) and were less likely to have a recurrence of vitreous haemorrhaging in the postoperative period (p=0.0101) when compared with subjects in Group B. There were no significant differences among the treatment groups with regards to baseline characteristics, perioperative TRD development, intraoperative complications and incidence of unplanned PPV during the 6 month study interval. CONCLUSIONS This RCT demonstrated better final visual outcomes, shorter operating times and less vitreous haemorrhage recurrences in the postoperative period when subjects received IVZ compared to IVB prior to PPV for the treatment of PDR-related complications.
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Aflibercept for Radiation Maculopathy Study: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Study.
Murray, TG, Latiff, A, Villegas, VM, Gold, AS
Ophthalmology. Retina. 2019;(7):561-566
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate 2 treatment approaches to intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist therapy in radiation maculopathy comparing aflibercept delivered by either a 6-week treatment interval or treat-and-adjust interval. DESIGN Randomized, prospective clinical trial. METHODS Forty consecutive patients were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved clinical trial and randomized to aflibercept treatment via 1 of 2 regimens: (1) fixed, every-6-weeks treatment or (2) variable, treat-and-adjust treatment centered around 6 weeks. All patients had a diagnosis of treated uveal melanoma with documented tumor control. All patients showed visually compromising radiation maculopathy confirmed by a decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain (SD) OCT documentation of radiation maculopathy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Best-corrected visual acuity and SD OCT central retinal thickness at 1 year. RESULTS Thirty-nine of 40 patients completed the trial (97.5%) with 1 year of follow-up. Baseline study entry BCVA was 20/63 and was maintained at 20/62 at study conclusion at 60 weeks (1 year). At baseline, SD OCT mean central retinal thickness was 432 μm and improved to 294 μm at 60 weeks (P < 0.02). At the study conclusion, 42.5% of eyes (17/40) showed better than 20/50 BCVA, and only 5% of eyes (2/40) showed a BCVA worse than 20/200. In the every-6-weeks interval treatment arm, patients received 9 injections, whereas in the treat-and-adjust study arm, patients received 8.4 injections (P = 0.88, not significant). One patient experienced an inflammatory response after aflibercept injection, but this did not occur again for this patient, nor for any other study injections (1/400 injections [0.0025%]). No patients demonstrated endophthalmitis or metastatic disease or died during the study window. CONCLUSIONS Aflibercept seems to limit vision loss associated with radiation maculopathy. In this randomized, prospective clinical study, no difference was found between a fixed 6-week treatment interval and a variable treat-and-adjust interval because virtually all patients required treatment every 6 weeks and were not able to extend. Remarkably, almost half of all treated patients maintained BCVA of 20/50 or better throughout 1 year of treatment. Aflibercept is effective in treating radiation maculopathy, but requires an ongoing treatment approach.