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Vitiello L, Salerno G, Coppola A, De Pascale I, Abbinante G, Gagliardi V, Lixi F, Pellegrino A, Giannaccare G. Switching to an Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant after Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Review. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:725. [PMID: 38929708 DOI: 10.3390/life14060725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Among working-age people, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema are currently considered the main causes of blindness. Nowadays, intravitreal injections are widely acknowledged as a significant milestone in ophthalmology, especially for the treatment of several retinal diseases, including diabetic macular edema. In particular, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents are typically the first line of treatment; however, monthly injections are required, at least, during the loading dosage. Notably, an intravitreal 0.7 mg dexamethasone (DEX) implant (Ozurdex®, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, USA) is considered a legitimate substitute treatment for diabetic eyes that have not responded to anti-VEGF treatment. In fact, clinical trials and real-life studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of an intravitreal DEX implant in treating such conditions over a period of three to six months. For this reason, wisely selecting diabetic patients might be crucial to decreasing the load of injections in clinics and hospitals. The purpose of this review is to analyze the available scientific literature to highlight the benefits, efficacy, and clinical criteria for choosing whether to switch from intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy to an intravitreal DEX implant in diabetic macular edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Vitiello
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Giulio Salerno
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Alessia Coppola
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Ilaria De Pascale
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Giulia Abbinante
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Gagliardi
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Filippo Lixi
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Alfonso Pellegrino
- Eye Unit, "Luigi Curto" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84035 Polla, SA, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannaccare
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, CA, Italy
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Taloni A, Coco G, Rastelli D, Buffon G, Scorcia V, Giannaccare G. Safety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant Given Either First-Line or Second-Line in Diabetic Macular Edema. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:3307-3329. [PMID: 38106365 PMCID: PMC10725633 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s427209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common sight-threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the leading cause of severe visual impairment among the working-age population. Several therapeutic options are available for the management of DME, including intravitreal corticosteroids. They have been traditionally used as second-line treatment, due to the risk of intraocular pressure increase and cataract-related adverse events. However, attention has recently been focused on the primary or early use of intravitreal corticosteroids, due to growing evidence of the crucial role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of DME. Furthermore, intravitreal steroid implants offer the additional advantage of a longer duration of action compared to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (anti-VEGF). This review aims to summarize the available evidence on the efficacy and safety profile of dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant, with a specific focus on clinical scenarios in which it might be considered or even preferred as first-line treatment option by adequate selection of patients, considering both advantages and possible adverse events. Patients with contraindications to anti-VEGF, DME with high inflammatory OCT biomarkers, pseudophakic patients and phakic patients' candidates to cataract surgery as well as vitrectomized eyes may all benefit from first-line DEX implant. Additionally, DME not responders to anti-VEGF should be considered for a switch to DEX implant and a combination therapy of DEX implant and anti-VEGF could be a valid option in severe and persistent DME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Taloni
- Department of Ophthalmology, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giulia Coco
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Rastelli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacinta Buffon
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Scorcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannaccare
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Bikbova G, Oshitari T, Bikbov M. Diabetic Neuropathy of the Retina and Inflammation: Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119166. [PMID: 37298118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A clear connection exists between diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Consequently, therapeutic approaches that target both diseases are needed. Clinical trials are currently underway to explore the roles of obesity, adipose tissue, gut microbiota, and pancreatic beta cell function in diabetes. Inflammation plays a key role in diabetes pathophysiology and associated metabolic disorders; thus, interest has increased in targeting inflammation to prevent and control diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is known as a neurodegenerative and vascular disease that occurs after some years of poorly controlled diabetes. However, increasing evidence points to inflammation as a key figure in diabetes-associated retinal complications. Interconnected molecular pathways, such as oxidative stress, and the formation of advanced glycation end-products, are known to contribute to the inflammatory response. This review describes the possible mechanisms of the metabolic changes in diabetes that involve inflammatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guzel Bikbova
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
- Ufa Eye Research Institute, Pushkin Street 90, Ufa 450077, Russia
| | - Toshiyuki Oshitari
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3 Kozunomori, Narita 286-8686, Japan
| | - Mukharram Bikbov
- Ufa Eye Research Institute, Pushkin Street 90, Ufa 450077, Russia
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