Combined intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone in exudative age-related macular degeneration

Dexamethasone implant improves anatomic response to anti-VEGF therapy in treatment-resistant polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) can be resistant to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. We evaluated the efficacy of a combination of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DXI) and anti-VEGF therapy in eyes resistant to anti-VEGF monotherapy.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients with PCV resistant to anti-VEGF injections were additionally injected with a DXI along with an anti-VEGF agent. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp examination, fundus evaluation, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were analyzed. Anatomical response on OCT was the primary outcome measure. Change in visual acuity and injection-free interval after DXI were evaluated as secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Twelve eyes of 11 patients were included in the study. Mean age of patients at presentation was 64.7 ± 9.5 years (range, 49-78.8 years), and there were seven females (63.6%). Median number of anti-VEGF injections prior to DXI was 4 (interquartile range IQR, 3-7). Median follow-up duration after DXI was 32.2 months (IQR, 6.6-41.6 months). Median logMAR BCVA immediately prior to DXI was 0.41 (IQR, 0.30-0.88) and after injection was 0.40 (IQR, 0.30-1.05), which was not significantly different (p = 0.85). Median Central Retinal Thickness (CRT) after DXI was 305.5 µm (IQR, 249-409 µm), which was significantly (p = 0.003) lesser than pre-injection thickness of 547 µm (IQR, 431-771 µm). Median injection-free interval in these eyes after DXI was 5 months (IQR, 2.8-6.4 months). Kaplan-Meier estimates of first injection after DXI were 27.3% at 3 months, 67.3% at 6 months, and 89.1% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexamethasone implant combined with anti-VEGF treatment can prolong the treatment-free interval in eyes with PCV resistant to anti-VEGF injection while maintaining visual acuity.

Medication Trends for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is central vision loss with aging, was the fourth main cause of blindness in 2015, and has many risk factors, such as cataract surgery, cigarette smoking, family history, hypertension, obesity, long-term smart device usage, etc. AMD is classified into three categories: normal AMD, early AMD, and late AMD, based on angiogenesis in the retina, and can be determined by bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E)-epoxides from the reaction of A2E and blue light. During the reaction of A2E and blue light, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are synthesized, which gather inflammatory factors, induce carbonyl stress, and finally stimulate the death of retinal pigment epitheliums (RPEs). There are several medications for AMD, such as device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-VEGFs, and natural products. For device-based therapy, two methods are used: prophylactic laser therapy (photocoagulation laser therapy) and photodynamic therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs consist of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-VEGFs are classified antibodies for VEGF, aptamer, soluble receptor, VEGF receptor-1 and -2 antibody, and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Finally, additional AMD drug candidates are derived from natural products. For each medication, there are several and severe adverse effects, but natural products have a potency as AMD drugs, as they have been used as culinary materials and/or traditional medicines for a long time. Their major application route is oral administration, and they can be combined with device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-VEGFs. In general, AMD drug candidates from natural products are more effective at treating early and intermediate AMD. However, further study is needed to evaluate their efficacy and to investigate their therapeutic mechanisms.

Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide-Loaded Liposome Formulation Used as an Adjuvant to Intravitreal Ranibizumab Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Novel strategies have been developed to reduce or avoid intravitreal injections (IVTs) of the antiangiogenic (ranibizumab (RBZ)) and anti-inflammatory (triamcinolone acetonide (TA)) agents used to treat vitreoretinal diseases. One of the strategies includes liposomes. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a topical triamcinolone-loaded liposome formulation (TALF) as an adjuvant to intravitreal RBZ therapy in treatment- naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Subjects were randomly assigned to the RBZ-TALF or the RBZ-pro re nata (RBZ-PRN) groups. Patients from the RBZ-TALF group were instructed to apply TALF for 12 months after a single dose of RBZ. Patients from the RBZ-PRN group received three monthly RBZ-IVTs. Retreatment with RBZ was considered in the case of nAMD reactivation. Regarding safety, non-ocular abnormalities were observed during TALF therapy. Concerning efficacy, non-significant differences were identified in terms of visual acuity or central foveal thickness when the RBZ-PRN and RBZ-TALF groups were compared. It is worth noting that the average number of RBZ injections was significantly lower in the RBZ-TALF group (2.5 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 1.3 IVTs; p = 0.0004). Therefore, TALF used as an adjuvant to RBZ reduces the need for RBZ-IVT retreatment with optimal visual and anatomic results.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab with or without Triamcinolone for Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration: Twelve-month Results of a Prospective, Randomized Investigation

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) with a combination therapy including IVB/intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVB/IVTA) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 136 eyes of 136 patients with neovascular AMD. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive IVB alone (71 eyes) or in combination with IVTA (65 eyes). In the IVB group, three consecutive injections of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml of bevacizumab were administered 1 month apart, whereas in the IVB/IVTA group, 4 mg/0.05 mL of triamcinolone acetonide was added to bevacizumab in the first injection. Additional IVB injections were administered in eyes demonstrating active choroidal neovascularization. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline as well as at all follow-up visits.

RESULTS:

No differences were seen between the patients receiving IVB and those receiving IVB/IVTA in terms of baseline BCVA (P = 0.97) and baseline central macular thickness (CMT) (P = 0.77). BCVA improved, and CMT reduced significantly in both study arms at almost all follow-up intervals. IVB/IVTA intervention, compared with IVB, was statistically more effective in improving BCVA (P = 0.01) and in reducing CMT (P = 0.02) after 12 months. The average number of reinjections was 1.25 ± 0.92 in the IVB group and 1.06 ± 1.01 in the IVB/IVTA group (P = 0.44).

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that the synergistic effect of intravitreal triamcinolone and IVB for treatment of neovascular AMD shows itself most apparently after 8 months of follow-up.

INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT AS ADJUVANT TREATMENT FOR BEVACIZUMAB- AND RANIBIZUMAB-RESISTANT NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A Prospective Pilot Study

PURPOSE

To study the benefit of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to bevacizumab and ranibizumab.

METHODS

Patients with persistent macular fluid on optical coherence tomography despite monthly treatment with at least three consecutive bevacizumab injections followed by at least three ranibizumab injections were prospectively enrolled. A single dexamethasone implant was administered followed by intravitreal ranibizumab 1 week later. Ranibizumab was continued afterward on an as-needed basis. Main outcomes were improvement in central retinal thickness and best-corrected visual acuity.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (19 eyes) were enrolled. There was no significant change in best-corrected visual acuity over 6 months. Greatest reduction in mean central retinal thickness, from 295.2 μm to 236.2 μm, occurred 1 month after dexamethasone implant (P < 0.0001). By Month 6, mean central retinal thickness was 287.3 μm (P = 0.16). Eyes with only intraretinal fluid (13 eyes) achieved a fluid-free macula. Eyes with predominantly subretinal fluid (6 eyes) did not improve central retinal thickness and continued monthly ranibizumab. Mean baseline intraocular pressure was 13.2 mmHg, which peaked at 15.6 mmHg by Month 2 (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant improved only macular intraretinal fluid in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to bevacizumab and ranibizumab. However, this treatment had a limited duration.

Macular oedema as manifestation of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes mellitus is the third most dangerous disease of our time preceded by cardiovascular diseases and oncologic pathology. According to the International Diabetes Federation (January 1, 2016), worldwide approximately 415 million people aged 2079 years suffer from diabetes. The most significant manifestations of diabetes mellitus are lesions of the retina and blood vessels, which manifest as diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema, which lead to the inevitable loss of vision and disability in patients of working age. The existence of multile diagnostic methods and a broad classification provide an evidence of the complex nature of the pathological process of the macular zone in diabetes mellitus. However, to date, a single, generalised and accepted classification does not exist. Difficulties in the treatment of diabetic maculopathy are attributed to various forms of retinal lesions and ambiguities in the approach used to choose the disease management. It determines the importance of the development of diagnostic methods for the further correction of the standard treatment approach. New directions of surgical treatment allow relying on the best results of diabetic maculopathy treatment.

ROLE OF ADDITIONAL DEXAMETHASONE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PERSISTENT OR RECURRENT NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION UNDER RANIBIZUMAB TREATMENT

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of a combination therapy of intravitreal ranibizumab together with a dexamethasone implant in comparison with ranibizumab monotherapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

Forty eyes of recurrent or persistent neovascular age-related macular degeneration were included in this prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Based on a pro re nata treatment regimen, the first group received intravitreal ranibizumab monotherapy (IVM). The second group received a combination of intravitreal dexamethasone implant and ranibizumab (intravitreal combination [IVC]) at baseline and was retreated with ranibizumab as needed. A second dexamethasone implant was allowed for retreatment after at least 6 months. Retreatment criteria included evidence of subretinal fluid, cystoid macular edema or new hemorrhage, and/or a visual acuity decrease of 5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters.

RESULTS

During 12 months, a mean of 7.95/5.5 (IVM/IVC; P = 0.042) retreatments were given. The median time until first retreatment differed significantly between the groups (P = 0.004). Functional variables could be maintained in both groups with no differences between them. Visual acuity changed from 62 letters at baseline to 67 at Month 12 in the IVM and remained stable at 68 letters in the IVC group (P = 0.68); macular sensitivity changed from 6.95 dB to 7.01 dB in IVM and from 7.24 dB to 7.12 dB in IVC (P = 0.4). Central retinal thickness decreased, however, with no difference between the groups (P = 0.38). In the IVM/IVC group, 11/12 (55/60%) patients were phakic at the time of study entry. One (9%) patient from the IVM and 4 (33%) from the IVC group were referred to cataract surgery after study completion (P = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study indicates combined therapy to delay retreatment in patients with persistent/recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration and an overall reduction in required ranibizumab retreatments compared with ranibizumab monotherapy with consistent functional outcomes.

Treating the untreatable patient: current options for the management of treatment-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents represent the current standard of care for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Although effective in a majority of cases, a significant proportion of patients have persisting retinal exudation despite regular anti-VEGF therapy. This exudation is considered to produce poorer visual outcomes in these patients. Some of these patients may have misdiagnosed nAMD variants such as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; however, the majority of these eyes have what has been termed treatment-resistant nAMD. Currently, the best way to care for these patients is uncertain. Here, we review the evidence for different approaches to the management of treatment-resistant nAMD, including high-dose anti-VEGF therapy, combination regimes and switching of anti-VEGF agents, and discuss possible therapeutic approaches for patients with treatment-resistant nAMD.

The effect of combined treatment of bevacizumab and triamcinolone for diabetic macular edema refractory to previous intravitreal mono-injections

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of combined treatment of bevacizumab and triamcinolone in refractory diffuse DME (DDME). Twenty-five pseudophakic eyes with DDME refractory to previous successive intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB, 1.25 and 2.5 mg/0.1 ml) and triamcinolone (IVT, 4 mg and 10 mg/0.1 ml) injections were included. The average number of injections was two (1-4). The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.8 (0.3-1.5) logMAR before enrollment, 0.6 (0.0-1.5) logMAR at 6 months and 0.6 (0-1.8) logMAR at 12 months (p = 0.0001, p = 0.003). The median central macular thickness (CMT) of all the eyes was 575 (502-1049) µm at baseline, 370 (179-983) µm at 6 months, and 410 (198-929) µm at 12 months (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0001). At 6 months, the VA of 13 (52 %) patients was stabilized (± 0.2 logMAR of initial BCVA) and 12 (48 %) patients showed visual improvement (>0.2 logMAR). At 12 months, 10 (40 %) patients had stabilized vision, 13 (52 %) showed visual improvement and 2 (8 %) showed visual loss. At 6 months, 18 (72 %) patients showed anatomic stabilization (a decrease of 10 % to 50 % in initial CMT) and 7 (28 %) anatomical success (a decrease in CMT more than 50 % or ≤250 µm at final visit). At 12 months, 13 (52 %) patients showed anatomic stabilization, 10 (40 %) anatomic success, and 2 (8 %) anatomical failure (decrease in CMT less than 10 %). The combined application of IVB and triamcinolone may improve vision and decrease CMT in severe DDME cases refractory to previous monotherapies.

Anti--vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in glaucoma filtration surgery

PURPOSE

To examine evidence supporting the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition in controlling wound healing after glaucoma filtration surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma, to identify the optimum method of administration, and to clarify the potential position of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies in comparison with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C.

DESIGN

Perspective based on an overview of evidence from current peer-reviewed literature.

METHODS

Analysis of evidence from animal studies, in vitro studies, human studies, and from the use of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies in systemic disease.

RESULTS

There is evidence that glaucoma patients have elevated levels of VEGF in the aqueous before filtration surgery, that this increases in animals after filtration surgery, and that both can be suppressed in animals by intraocular injection of bevacizumab. VEGF not only has a role in angiogenesis, but also has a direct action on fibroblast activity that may be modified directly at the time of filtration surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence for a role for VEGF in wound healing after glaucoma filtration surgery. The optimum route of administration and dosing regimen of anti-VEGF antibodies and their positioning in comparison with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C are uncertain. There is some evidence that subconjunctival injection may produce sustained intraocular tissue levels. There is also evidence that bevacizumab may act in synergy with 5-fluorouracil. Although there are no direct comparative studies, it seems unlikely that bevacizumab alone will be as effective as mitomycin C, although bleb morphologic features may be better.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration in clinical practice

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether baseline visual acuity and baseline anatomy of the macula influence visual outcome in patients receiving intravitreal bevacizumab as treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in clinical practice.

METHODS

This clinical case series study included 319 patients (406 eyes) who consecutively received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for treatment of exudative AMD. The intervals between injections were 6 weeks and postinjection examinations were performed at 4 weeks after injection. Mean follow-up was 3.6 months.

RESULTS

After 3 injections of bevacizumab, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly (P<0.01) improved in eyes with a baseline BCVA of less than 0.2 (group 1; 138 eyes; -0.10±0.43 LogMAR) and in eyes with a baseline BCVA ≥0.2 and <0.4 (group 2; 117 eyes; -0.06±0.24 LogMAR), but BCVA deteriorated in eyes with a baseline BCVA of ≥0.4 (group 3; 151 eyes; 0.09±0.32 LogMAR). Correspondingly, regression analysis revealed that improvement in BCVA after 3 intravitreal bevacizumab injections was significantly (P=0.001) associated with a low baseline BCVA. After the first injection of bevacizumab, changes in optical coherent tomography measurements of the macula (height of subretinal fluid, macular tissue thickness) were statistically significant for group 1 (P=0.03, P=0.03, respectively) and group 2 (P=0.01, P=0.02, respectively), but not for group 3 (P=0.85, P=0.22, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical practice, patients with exudative AMD and a baseline BCVA of <0.2 have a better prognosis for an increase in BCVA after intravitreal bevacizumab injections than patients with a higher baseline BCVA.