Combined therapy: photodynamic therapy and bevacizumab to treat myopic neovascular membranes. One-year follow-up

Effect of Factor XIII-A G185T Polymorphism on Visual Prognosis after Photodynamic Therapy for Neovascular Macular Degeneration

Macular degenerations represent leading causes of central blindness or low vision in developed countries. Most of these severe visual disabilities are due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and pathologic myopia (PM), both of which are frequently complicated by subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT-V) is still employed for CNV treatment in selected cases or in combined regimen. In Caucasian patients, the common polymorphism G185T of factor XIII-A gene (FXIII-A-G185T; rs5985) has been described as predictor of poor angiographic CNV responsiveness to PDT-V. Nevertheless, the prognostic implications of this pharmacogenetic determinant on long-term visual outcome after a PDT-V regimen have not been evaluated. We retrospectively selected Caucasian patients presenting with treatment-naive CNV and receiving standardized PDT-V protocol for two years. The study population included patients affected by subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD or PM. We assessed the correlations between the polymorphic allele T of FXIII-A-G185T and: (1) total number of photodynamic treatments; and (2) change in visual acuity from baseline to the end of the follow-up period. Considering a total study population of 412 patients with neovascular AMD or PM, the carriers of 185 T-allele of FXIII-A (GT or TT genotype) received a higher number of photodynamic treatments than patients without it (GG wild-type genotype) (p < 0.01; mean number of PDT-V: 5.51 vs. 3.76, respectively). Moreover, patients with 185 T-allele of FXIII-A had a more marked worsening of visual acuity at 24 months than those with the GG-185 wild genotype (p < 0.01; mean difference in logMAR visual acuity: 0.22 vs. 0.08, respectively). The present findings show that the G185T polymorphism of the FXIII-A gene is associated with significant differences in the long-term therapeutic outcomes of patients treated with standardized PDT-V protocol. The comprehensive appraisal of both anti-thrombophilic effects due to FXIII-A G185T variant and photo-thrombotic action of PDT-V toward CNV provides several clues about the rationale of this intriguing pharmacogenetic correlation. Further investigations are warranted to outline the appropriate paradigm for guiding PDT-V utilization in the course of the combined therapeutic protocol for neovascular macular degeneration.

Indications for intravitreal bevacizumab in ibadan, sub-saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is a contributing factor in some retinal diseases, hence the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a common pathway in proliferative retinopathies. Bevacizumab has been found to be effective in the treatment of these diseases. The aim of this study was to review all cases of intravitreal bevacizumab given in the retinal unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan from July, 2010 to June 2012, pointing out the common indications.

METHODS

After obtaining ethical approval from the University College Hospital/University of Ibadan Review Board for the study, all cases of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab recorded in the retinal register during the study period (July 2010 to June 2012) were retrieved. Age, sex, diagnoses and indication for injection were recorded in the data sheet prepared for the study. Results were analyzed using proportions and percentages.

RESULTS

A total of one hundred and thirty four injections of bevacizumab were given in the study period. The most common indication was cystoid macular edema from retinal vein occlusion ([26(19.4%)] followed by wet age related maculopathy [23(17.1%)] and sickle cell retinopathy [(22(16.4)]. Emerging indications included idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy [8(6%) and retinal macroaneurism with macular edema [6(4.5%)].

CONCLUSION

Cystoid macular edema from vascular occlusion and wet age related macular degeneration are the major indications for intravitreal bevacizumab injection in Ibadan.

Combined therapy with bevacizumab and photodynamic therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization: A one-year follow-up controlled study

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) using photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab and to compare it with intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy.

METHODS

Thirty-four eyes with angiographic evidence of myopic CNV were randomly divided into two groups: 17 were treated with one intravitreal bevacizumab injection (1.25 mg) and low-fluence-rate PDT within seven days of the injection (Group A). The other 17 received monotherapy with bevacizumab injections (Group B). Clinical evidence of complications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fluorescein leakage were evaluated. BCVA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were evaluated monthly. The timepoints follow-up was established at 6 and 12mo. All patients were retreated following a PRN protocol.

RESULTS

A total of 34 eyes of 34 patients (26 women and 8 men) with a mean age of 62.35 years were included. In Group A (17 eyes) the mean BCVA increased from 0.55±0.13 logMAR before the treatment to 0.40±0.09 logMAR at the 12mo follow-up (P<0.01). In Group B (17 eyes) the mean BCVA increased from 0.60±0.11 logMAR before the treatment to 0.55±0.12 logMAR at the 12mo follow-up (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of LogMar visual acuity. In Group A the mean number of combined treatments was 1.8±0.11 per patient; in Group B the mean number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections was 3.1±0.08 per patient. The number of treatments was significantly fewer in Group A (P<0.01). No local or systemic side effects occurred among any of the patients treated in this study.

CONCLUSION

The combination of anti-angiogenic injections and PDT appears to be a safe and effective option for myopic CNV treatment and allows for a significant reduction of intravitreal injections.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSES

To update existing evidence and evaluate intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

The authors conducted comprehensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Biosis Preview, and LILACS. Included studies were categorized by study design. Comparative studies were classified as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT studies, and these two types of studies were presented and meta-analyzed separately for the following comparisons: 1) anti-VEGF versus photodynamic therapy, 2) anti-VEGF monotherapy versus combination therapy with photodynamic therapy, 3) single versus 3 monthly injections followed by pro re nata (PRN) treatment, and 4) ranibizumab versus bevacizumab. Noncomparative prospective series were pooled to estimate mean visual gain, mean retinal thickness change, and the average number of anti-VEGF injections required for myopic choroidal neovascularization. Ocular and systemic adverse events were also summarized.

RESULTS

Literature search yielded 18 comparative studies and 83 noncomparative studies. Superiority of anti-VEGF over photodynamic therapy in a 24-month period was confirmed by 2 RCTs and 6 non-RCT studies. The influence of combined photodynamic therapy was uncertain based on two non-RCT studies. Three non-RCT studies showed that the visual outcomes of 3+PRN injections might be slightly better than 1+PRN injections within 1 year. No difference was observed between ranibizumab and bevacizumab in two RCTs and one non-RCT study. The estimated visual improvement was two lines on average. Adverse events were uncommon as reported.

CONCLUSION

Accumulating evidence confirmed that anti-VEGF injections should be the first-line therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for choroidal neovascularization due to Sorsby macular dystrophy

PURPOSE

To report the first case of intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab to treat choroidal neovascularization secondary to Sorsby macular dystrophy.

CASE

A 57-year-old male with metamorphopsia, color vision deficits, and ocular family history of Sorsby macular dystrophy was found to have a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) in his left eye. He was initially treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and had visual acuity improvement and resolution of the subretinal fluid on OCT. After 8 injections, he developed presumed mild inflammation secondary to intravitreal bevacizumab and was switched to combination intravitreal bevacizumab/dexamethasone in his left eye, which consistently demonstrated efficacy in stabilizing his vision and the CNVM without producing intraocular inflammation. The right eye later developed the CNVM and he was started on intravitreal bevacizumab in this eye as well. After 8 injections in the right eye, he experienced a similar inflammatory reaction following intravitreal bevacizumab injections and was switched to combination intravitreal bevacizumab/dexamethasone in the right eye as well. Subsequently, he was switched to intravitreal ranibizumab in the left eye alone, which continued to stabilize his vision and OCT and did not cause an inflammatory reaction as he previously experienced with bevacizumab. After 5 ranibizumab injections, he experienced no inflammatory response that he appeared to have with bevacizumab, but chose to switch back to combination intravitreal bevacizumab and dexamethasone due to financial reasons. Initially, in his clinical course, he experienced consistent visual acuity improvements with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy and continues to enjoy functional vision nearly 7 years after his initial symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab demonstrated efficacy in this case in the treatment of CNVM associated with Sorsby macular dystrophy.