Project description:We defined the relationships between initial choroidal conditions and their dynamics and exudative changes during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). One hundred treatment-naïve eyes of 100 patients with PCV treated for 24 months at Keio University Hospital with intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept monotherapy (three injections and PRN thereafter) were retrospectively analyzed. Wet macula risk after three induction injections, which affected visual prognosis, was predicted by initial pachyvessels in the choroid (foveal greatest vertical choroidal vessel diameter [CVD] ≥180 μm) and pachychoroid (central choroidal thickness [CCT] ≥220 μm) recorded by optical coherence tomography. The risk for recurrent exudative change was greater in the pachyvessel groups irrespective of presence or absence of pachychoroid. Mean CVD and CCT decreased with anti-VEGF therapy when achieving a dry macula, suggesting that exudative changes are regulated by VEGF. Mean CVD and CCT at remission were greater in patients with initial pachyvessels and pachychoroid than in those without; the basal levels of CVD and CCT most likely represent VEGF-unrelated conditions. CVD increase preceded CCT increase and recurrent exudative changes, suggesting that the VEGF-related CVD increase may regulate CCT and exudative change; and that CVD may be a biomarker of exudative change.
Project description:AimsTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab in patients with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia (myopic CNV). Data are from a pre-planned, 6-month interim analysis.MethodsPhase II, open-label, single arm, multicentre, 12-month study, recruiting patients (aged ≥18 years) with active primary or recurrent subfoveal or juxtafoveal myopic CNV, with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) score of 24-78 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters in the study eye and a diagnosis of high myopia of at least -6 dioptres. Patients received 0.5 mg ranibizumab administered intravitreally to the study eye, followed by monthly injections given as needed (based on a predefined algorithm) for up to 11 months.ResultsAt 6 months, mean BCVA improved from baseline by 12.2 letters, as did central macular thickness (in this interim analysis defined as a measure of either central subfield macular thickness or centre point macular thickness) from baseline by 108 μm in the 48 study eyes of 48 patients. Fewer patients had centre-involving intraretinal oedema (13.0% vs 91.5%), intraretinal cysts (10.9% vs 57.4%), or subretinal fluid (13.0% vs 66.0%) at 6 months than at baseline. Patients received a mean of 1.9 retreatments, were satisfied with ranibizumab treatment, and well being was maintained. No new safety signals were identified.ConclusionsResults from the planned interim analysis support the role of ranibizumab in the treatment of myopic CNV, with excellent efficacy achieved with a low number of injections and few serious adverse events.
Project description:PurposeTo visualize the mode of action of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGFs) therapy on retinal neovascularization (RNV) in a patient with macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2 using a detailed three-dimensional data environment.ObservationA 60-year-old man presented with visual acuity loss and was diagnosed with MacTel type 2. Fluorescein angiography was not possible for safety reasons because of a history of severe reaction to fluorescein dye at his referring hospital. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging revealed new retinal neovascular membranes (RNV) in the macula of both eyes. A marked reduction in the size of the RNV in both eyes was evident on volume-rendered three-dimensional OCTA retinal imaging after the first anti-VEGF injection.Conclusion and importanceThe ability to directly observe the effect of anti-VEGF injections on a RNV using three-dimensional OCTA was successfully demonstrated. This can be useful in patients with previous allergic and potentially lethal complications to fluorescein. In addition, enhanced three-dimensional spatial display of RNV leads to a greater understanding of the perfusion profile and the anatomical changes that occur in ocular neovascularization relative to surrounding tissue. This has the potential to provide insight into the pathobiology of angiogenesis.
Project description:To determine the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy on choroidal thickness in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME).A retrospective, cohort analysis of 59 eyes from 59 patients with DME without prior anti-VEGF therapy.Choroidal thickness was measured using semiautomated segmentation of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography images at 0.5-mm intervals from 2.5 mm nasal to 2.5 mm temporal to the fovea. Changes in choroidal thickness with and without anti-VEGF treatment over 6 months were compared. Best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were analyzed to evaluate the association of choroidal thickness with functional and anatomic outcomes.Of the 59 eyes with DME, 26 eyes were observed without treatment, whereas 33 underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (mean number of injections, 2.73) over 6 months. In untreated eyes, there was no significant change in best-corrected visual acuity (P = .098), central foveal thickness (P = .472), or choroidal thickness at all measurements along the macula (P = .057 at the fovea). In eyes treated with anti-VEGF injections, choroidal thickness decreased significantly at the fovea (246.6 to 224.8 ?m; P < .001) and at 0.5 mm nasal (240.9 to 221.9 ?m; P = .002) and 0.5 mm temporal (249.3 to 224.8 ?m; P = .011) to the fovea. The decrease in subfoveal choroidal thickness after anti-VEGF treatment was not associated with the cumulative number of anti-VEGF injections (R(2) = 0.031; P = .327) or to changes in best-corrected visual acuity (R(2) = 0.017; P = .470) or central foveal thickness (R(2) = 0.040; P = .263).Central choroidal thickness decreases after anti-VEGF therapy for DME after 6 months, but may not be associated with functional or anatomic outcomes in eyes with DME.
Project description:This is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center study evaluating the efficacy of pegfilgrastim to reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients with newly diagnosed, locally-advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer receiving first-line treatment with bevacizumab and either 5-fluorouracil, Oxaliplatin, Leucovorin (FOLFOX) or 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, Leucovorin (FOLFIRI).
This study will also investigate the effect of adding pegfilgrastim to bevacizumab and either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI by evaluating overall survival, progression-free survival, and overall response rate in each arm at regular intervals over a maximum of 60 months follow-up.
Project description:The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of photodynamic therapy (PDT) compared to intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Relevant studies were selected through an extensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Outcomes of interest included visual outcomes, anatomic variables, and adverse events.Six studies enrolling a total of 346 patients were included. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) of the mean changes in LogMAR VA when comparing PDT with anti-VEGF were -0.02 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.12-0.08) at 3 months, 0.02 (95 % CI: -0.12-0.16) at 6 months, 0.02 (95 % CI: -0.15-0.18) at 12 months, and -0.17 (95 % CI: -0.90-0.55) at 24 months. There were no significant differences between the two groups at any of the time points. PDT was found to be associated with greater reduction of central retinal thickness (CRT) at six months (WMD: 44.94; 95 % CI: 16.44-73.44; P?=?0.002), and it was superior to anti-VEGF therapy in achieving complete polyp regression (odd ratio, OR: 6.85; 95 % CI: 2.15-21.79; P?=?0.001).Rates of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two treatments.PDT appeared to result in greater CRT reduction at six months and higher polyp regression rate. However, the two treatments appear to be comparable in terms of best corrected visual acuity change and adverse events.
Project description:To investigate whether genetic risk variants for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are associated with response to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients.This prospective cohort study included 95 treatment-naïve patients that underwent anti-VEGF treatment for PCV for 12 months. Patients were genotyped for 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms in eight AMD-relevant genes. Genotypic association with visual and anatomic outcome measures at 12 months after initial treatment, including mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and total foveal thickness, visual gain of ? 15 letters, dry status on optical coherence tomography (OCT), pigment epithelial detachment (PED) regression on OCT, polyp regression on indocyanine green angiography, and injection numbers, were investigated using regression models with adjustment for non-genetic covariates under additive genetic model.In 81 patients who completed 12-month anti-VEGF monotherapy without photodynamic therapy, significant pharmacogenetic association was found between ARMS2 rs10490924 and PED regression on OCT. Proportions of PED regression were 26.4% for TT, 45.7% for TG, and 63.6% for GG genotype, showing additive effect of G allele for higher chance of PED regression (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.38-6.36; corrected P = 0.043). For entire 95 patients, no significant association was found between candidate polymorphisms and receiving photodynamic therapy within 12 months.In PCV patients, ARMS2 rs10490924 showed association with anatomic therapeutic response to anti-VEGF, suggesting pharmacogenetic relationship.
Project description:Treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, remains a significant unmet need in oncology. Historically, cytotoxic treatments provided little durable benefit, and tumors recurred within several months. This has spurred a substantial research effort to establish more effective therapies for both newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM. In this context, antiangiogenic therapy emerged as a promising treatment strategy because GBMs are highly vascular tumors. In particular, GBMs overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a proangiogenic cytokine. Indeed, many studies have demonstrated promising radiographic response rates, delayed tumor progression, and a relatively safe profile for anti-VEGF agents. However, randomized phase III trials conducted to date have failed to show an overall survival benefit for antiangiogenic agents alone or in combination with chemoradiotherapy. These results indicate that antiangiogenic agents may not be beneficial in unselected populations of patients with GBM. Unfortunately, biomarker development has lagged behind in the process of drug development, and no validated biomarker exists for patient stratification. However, hypothesis-generating data from phase II trials that reveal an association between increased perfusion and/or oxygenation (ie, consequences of vascular normalization) and survival suggest that early imaging biomarkers could help identify the subset of patients who most likely will benefit from anti-VEGF agents. In this article, we discuss the lessons learned from the trials conducted to date and how we could potentially use recent advances in GBM biology and imaging to improve outcomes of patients with GBM who receive antiangiogenic therapy.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a potentially blinding secondary glaucoma. It is caused by the formation of abnormal new blood vessels which prevent normal drainage of aqueous from the anterior segment of the eye. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents are specific inhibitors of the primary mediators of neovascularization. Studies have reported the effectiveness of anti-VEGFs for the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in NVG. OBJECTIVES:To compare the IOP lowering effects of intraocular anti-VEGF agents to no anti-VEGF treatment, as an adjunct to existing modalities for the treatment of NVG. SEARCH METHODS:We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 12), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE, (January 1950 to January 2013), EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2013), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to January 2013), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov/) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 11 January 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA:We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of people treated with anti-VEGF agents for NVG. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Two authors independently assessed the search results for trials to be included in the review. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion with a third author. Since no trial met our inclusion criteria, no assessment of risk of bias or meta-analysis was undertaken. MAIN RESULTS:No RCTs were found that met the inclusion criteria for this review. Two RCTs of anti-VEGF agents for treating NVG were not included in the review due to the heterogeneity and uncontrolled assignment of adjunct treatments received by the study participants. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:Currently available evidence is insufficient to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-VEGF treatments, such as intravitreal ranibizumab or bevacizumab, as an adjunct to conventional treatment in lowering IOP in NVG. Well designed RCTs are needed to address this issue, particularly trials that evaluate long-term (at least six months) benefits and risks since the effects of anti-VEGF agents may be short-term only. An RCT comparing anti-VEGF agents with no anti-VEGF agents taking into account the need for co-interventions, such as panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), glaucoma shunt procedures, cyclodestructive procedures, cataract surgery, and deep vitrectomy, could be of use to investigate the additional beneficial effect of anti-VEGF agents in treating NVG. Since decisions for when and which co-interventions should be used are based on clinical criteria, they would not be appropriate for randomization. However, the design of a study on this topic should aim to balance groups by stratification of co-intervention at time of randomization or by enrolling a sufficient number of participants to conduct subgroup analysis by co-interventions (ideally 15 participants per treatment group for each subgroup). Alternatively, the inclusion criteria for a trial could limit participants to those who receive the same co-intervention.
Project description:PURPOSE:To assess systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A levels after treatment with intravitreous aflibercept, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab. DESIGN:Comparative-effectiveness trial with participants randomly assigned to 2 mg aflibercept, 1.25 mg bevacizumab, or 0.3 mg ranibizumab after a re-treatment algorithm. PARTICIPANTS:Participants with available plasma samples (N = 436). METHODS:Plasma samples were collected before injections at baseline and 4-week, 52-week, and 104-week visits. In a preplanned secondary analysis, systemic-free VEGF levels from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared across anti-VEGF agents and correlated with systemic side effects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Changes in the natural log (ln) of plasma VEGF levels. RESULTS:Baseline free VEGF levels were similar across all 3 groups. At 4 weeks, mean ln(VEGF) changes were -0.30±0.61 pg/ml, -0.31±0.54 pg/ml, and -0.02±0.44 pg/ml for the aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab groups, respectively. The adjusted differences between treatment groups (adjusted confidence interval [CI]; P value) were -0.01 (-0.12 to +0.10; P = 0.89), -0.31 (-0.44 to -0.18; P < 0.001), and -0.30 (-0.43 to -0.18; P < 0.001) for aflibercept-bevacizumab, aflibercept-ranibizumab, and bevacizumab-ranibizumab, respectively. At 52 weeks, a difference in mean VEGF changes between bevacizumab and ranibizumab persisted (-0.23 [-0.38 to -0.09]; P < 0.001); the difference between aflibercept and ranibizumab was -0.12 (P = 0.07) and between aflibercept and bevacizumab was +0.11 (P = 0.07). Treatment group differences at 2 years were similar to 1 year. No apparent treatment differences were detected at 52 or 104 weeks in the cohort of participants not receiving injections within 1 or 2 months before plasma collection. Participants with (N = 9) and without (N = 251) a heart attack or stroke had VEGF levels that appeared similar. CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that decreases in plasma free-VEGF levels are greater after treatment with aflibercept or bevacizumab compared with ranibizumab at 4 weeks. At 52 and 104 weeks, a greater decrease was observed in bevacizumab versus ranibizumab. Results from 2 subgroups of participants who did not receive injections within at least 1 month and 2 months before collection suggest similar changes in VEGF levels after stopping injections. It is unknown whether VEGF levels return to normal as the drug is cleared from the system or whether the presence of the drug affects the assay's ability to accurately measure free VEGF. No significant associations between VEGF concentration and systemic factors were noted.