Evaluation of efficacy and recurrence for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the visual and morphological outcomes of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and the recurrence for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV).

Methods

This retrospective study included 35 patients (35 eyes) with ICNV from July 2012 to October 2017. All patients received 1 intravitreal anti-VEGF injection followed by pro re nata injections until there was no sign of ICNV activity. This was defined as the first follow-up period. To evaluate ICNV recurrence, we continued to follow-up 27 of the 35 patients for at least 2 years after the initial diagnosis, and the longest follow-up period was 5 years. Additional injection was performed when ICNV recurred. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded and morphological improvement in optical coherence tomography (OCT) was assessed. Parameters that affect prognosis and recurrence were analysed.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 168.0 ± 34.82 weeks. Mean BCVA improved from 56.20 ± 14.13 letters at baseline to 73.31 ± 12.57 letters (P<0.01); Mean CRT decreased from 353.6 ± 98.70 μm at baseline to 273.1 ± 53.56 μm (P < 0.001) at the end of the first follow-up period. Better baseline BCVA indicated a better morphological improvement (P = 0.026) in OCT: the lesion had completely subsided with recovery of the foveal contour. Those with high baseline BCVA (more than 60 letters) showed significant resolution of CNV lesions (P = 0.036). ICNV recurred in six patients (22.2%), 1 of whom experienced 2 recurrences. The mean timing of recurrence was 90.83 ± 49.02 weeks after diagnosis. There was no significant correlation between ICNV recurrence and the morphological improvement (P = 0.633). The final BCVA in patients with recurrence did not differ from that in patients without recurrence (P = 0.065).

Conclusions

Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy on a pro re nata basis was effective for treating ICNV. High baseline BCVA indicated a better prognosis. Re-treatment with anti-VEGF could effectively lead to resolution of recurrent ICNV. Disease recurrence had no significant effect on final visual prognosis and had no correlation with the morphological improvement during treatment, suggesting that follow-up for subsequent monitoring should be performed in all ICNV patients.

Etiologies and Characteristics of Choroidal Neovascularization in Young Chinese Patients

PURPOSE

To investigate the etiologies and characteristics of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in young Chinese patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of young Chinese patients (< 50 years of age) with CNV from January 2010 to June 2016 was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 501 patients (537 eyes) with CNV, 58.7% were female, and 7.2% had bilateral CNV. The mean age was 35 years. The etiologies were idiopathic CNV (ICNV, 43.9%), pathologic myopia (PM, 21.9%), punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC, 17.4%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (4.4%), multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis (3.6%), and other disorders (8.8%). Five hundred and six CNVs (94.2%) showed a predominantly classic CNV composition on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and 316 CNVs (96.6%) were type 2 CNV on optical coherence tomography (OCT).

CONCLUSION

The etiologies of CNV in young Chinese patients were diverse, and ICNV, PM, and PIC were the three most common etiologies. Most CNVs were classic on FFA and type 2 on OCT.

The Application of OCTA in Assessment of Anti-VEGF Therapy for Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose. To assess the morphology of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and determine the therapeutic effects of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Method. Patients with naive ICNV were assessed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCTA in this observational study. The timing of observation was before treatment, 1 day after treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, and 1 month after the treatment. The central retina thickness (CRT) on SD-OCT, selected CNV area, and flow area on OCTA were measured. Results. A total of 17 eyes from 17 patients with ICNV were included in this study. OCTA showed visible irregular choroidal neovascularization with "tree-in-bud" form on outer retinal layer. After treatment, as well as in the 1-day follow-up, CNV decreased in size from the periphery, and the vessel density was reduced. As shown on OCTA, the selected CNV area and flow area were significantly reduced compared to pretreatment. The rate of CNV vessel area changes was higher on OCTA than the changes in CRT on SD-OCT at 1-day and 1-month follow-up. Conclusion. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF is effective for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, and the treatment outcomes are observable after 1 day. OCTA provides a useful approach for monitoring and evaluating the treatment of intravitreal anti-VEGF for CNV.

ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY FOR NAIVE IDIOPATHIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION: A Comparative Study

PURPOSE

To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization and to compare outcomes between intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and ranibizumab as therapy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis included demographics, the corrected distance visual acuity, details of the ocular examination, imaging, treatment, outcomes, and adverse events. Patients with minimum of 1-year follow-up were included in the study. Primary outcome measure was change in corrected distance visual acuity at the final visit compared with baseline. Secondary outcome measures were change in central macular thickness and subretinal fluid (if present) with treatment and adverse events.

RESULTS

This study included 47 eyes of 45 patients with 30 males. Intravitreal bevacizumab group included 29 eyes (27 patients; with a median age of 39.4 ± 7.3 years). Intravitreal ranibizumab group included 18 eyes (18 patients; median age: 36.8 ± 9.3 years). Median baseline corrected distance visual acuity (logMAR) improved from 0.59 ± 0.38 to 0.2 ± 0.18 (P = 0.03) in intravitreal ranibizumab group and from 0.62 ± 0.41 to 0.18 ± 0.15 logMAR (P = 0.023) in intravitreal bevacizumab group. Median central macular thickness (in micrometers) improved from 315.11 ± 75.24 to 228.24 ± 67 (P = 0.036) in intravitreal bevacizumab group and from 327.24 ± 61.56 to 208 ± 53.42 (P = 0.031) in intravitreal ranibizumab group. There was no significant difference between groups in final corrected distance visual acuity (P = 0.31) or central macular thickness (P = 0.51). No adverse events were noted.

CONCLUSION

Both intravitreal ranibizumab and intravitreal bevacizumab seem equally effective in treating idiopathic choroidal neovascularization with a good safety profile without recurrence.

Evaluation of Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization with Indocyanine Green Angiography in Patients Undergoing Bevacizumab Therapy

Purpose. To examine the clinical implications of change in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size on indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in subjects with idiopathic CNV undergoing bevacizumab therapy. Methods. The charts of subjects with an idiopathic CNV treated by a modified PRN regimen with intravitreal bevacizumab over a 12-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Results. There were 34 subjects included in the analysis. Baseline CNV sizes of less than 1.0 mm² on ICG angiography correlated with complete CNV resolution (P = 0.0404), fewer injections delivered (P = 0.0002), and better Snellen visual acuity (P = 0.0098) at 12 months. Subjects that experienced a 33% or more reduction in CNV size on ICG angiography at 2 months had complete CNV resolution (P = 0.0047) and fewer injections (P < 0.0001) at 12 months compared to subjects that did not experience a 33% or more reduction in CNV size on ICG angiography at 2 months. Conclusions. Smaller baseline CNV size on ICG angiography resulted in better visual acuity and fewer injections at 12 months, and a reduction of 33% or more in CNV size after 2 months may predict a better clinical course in subjects with idiopathic CNV undergoing bevacizumab therapy.

Pro Re Nata Intravitreal Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascular Membrane

PURPOSE

To study the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab on a pro re nata basis for treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascular membrane.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients presenting with idiopathic choroidal neovascular membrane were included in the study. Intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) was given on a pro re nata basis from the base line.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (58.3%) patients were male and 15 (41.7%) were female aged 13-49 years. Idiopathic choroidal neovascular membrane showed a classic leak on fluorescein angiogram in all the eyes. Subfoveal location (25; 67.6%) was the commonest site of involvement. Mean number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections required to achieve resolution was 2.81 ± 1.4. At final follow-up, 31 (83.8%) eyes had maintained or improved vision (Group A) and six (16.2%) eyes had worsening of vision (Group B). There was no significant difference in mean age, gender, and mean number of injections between groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal bevacizumab on a pro re nata basis is effective in the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascular membrane. A larger controlled study would be required to formulate an accurate injection protocol.

Clinical efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in early and mid-idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

Background. To compare visual outcomes and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography results following intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for early and mid-idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV). Methods. This retrospective, case-controlled study examined 44 patients with ICNV in one eye initially treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg). Further intravitreal treatments were administered as necessary. Patients were divided into two groups according to disease duration, that is, ≤3 months or 3–6 months (early and mid-groups), and the data were compared. Results. All patients completed at least 12 months of follow-up. Significant differences were observed between the groups in best-corrected visual acuity and in central macular thickness (CMT) reduction at all five follow-up visits. At the last follow-up (12 months), 19 early group eyes (79.1%) and 10 mid group eyes (50.0%) had statistically significant visual gains of >15 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) letters (χ² = 4.130, P = 0.042). The mean number of injections was significantly higher  (P = 0.0001) in the mid group (2.53 ± 1.76) than in the early group (1.22 ± 1.01). Conclusions. Early intravitreal ranibizumab for ICNV can result in better visual prognoses, more obvious decreases in CMT, and fewer injections.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy versus photodynamic therapy for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

To compare visual outcomes after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection or photodynamic therapy (PDT) for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Among 29 eyes (28 patients), 15 eyes (15 patients) received anti-VEGF therapy and 14 eyes (13 patients) received PDT. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR [logarithm of minimal angle of resolution]) at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after initial treatment were compared. The eyes were classified by BCVA changes: improved (improvement ≥0.3 logMAR), decreased (deterioration ≥0.3 logMAR), and stable.

RESULTS

Mean BCVA was 0.56 ± 0.38 logMAR (20/72 in Snellen equivalent) in the PDT group and 0.44 ± 0.59 logMAR (20/55 in Snellen equivalent) in the anti-VEGF group at baseline (P = .104, Mann-Whitney U test). The anti-VEGF group showed significantly better mean BCVA at each follow-up visit when compared with that of PDT (P = .004 at 1 month, P = .002 at 3 months, P = .037 at 6 months, P = .031 at 12 months, and P = .049 at 24 months; Mann-Whitney U test, respectively). When compared with the baseline, mean BCVA at each follow-up visit was better in the anti-VEGF group (P = .196 at 1 month, P = .007 at 3 months, P = .046 at 6 months, P = .046 at 12 months, and P = .049 at 24 months; Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively), whereas BCVA in the PDT group was not. At 24 months, all eyes (100.0%) treated with anti-VEGF showed stable or improved BCVA, whereas 3 eyes (21.3%) showed visual deterioration after PDT.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-VEGF therapy was superior to PDT for idiopathic CNV, and superior efficacy was sustained until 24 months.

[Intravitreal ranibizumab injection for the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularisation in young patients]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab 0.5mg in the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularisation in young patients, which is the second most common cause of macular CNV in patients under 50 years of age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single-center, prospective, interventional, uncontrolled, nonrandomized clinical case series study included 13 eyes of 13 consecutive young patients with idiopathic macular choroidal neovascularisation treated with monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5mg ranibizumab. Prior to treatment, measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination, fluorescein angiography (FA) and macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. Measurement of visual acuity, fundus exam and OCT were repeated each month. A repeated monthly injection was performed in the event of persistence or recurrence of neovascular activity.

RESULTS

Ten women and three men, mean age 34±7.88 years at time of diagnosis, were included in the study. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved dramatically throughout the study, going from 0.74 LogMar at enrolment to 0.45 LogMar at 13 months (P<10(-6)). On average, two intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) were required during this year. Mean follow-up was 13±7.6 months.

DISCUSSION

Management of idiopathic CNV in young patients is difficult, due to frequent recurrences despite treatment. Argon laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and subretinal surgery offer limited results in terms of visual recovery and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection appears to be safe and effective for treatment of idiopathic macular CNV in young patients. A longer-term prospective trial is required to corroborate these results.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization: results of a 1-year prospective trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual and anatomic outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series.

METHODS

Forty patients with subfoveal idiopathic CNV were included in this clinical trial. Their eyes were treated with a single intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab followed by as-needed dosing indicated by the presence and recurrence of intraretinal edema, subretinal fluid (SRF), or pigment epithelial detachment (PED), based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) performed monthly. Visual, clinical, angiographic, and anatomic changes were observed over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

After 12 months of follow-up, the mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.53 (20/68 in Snellen equivalent) at baseline to 0.29 (20/39 in Snellen equivalent; P < .001). Mean central retinal thickness determined by OCT decreased from 321 μm to 237 μm (P < .001). All eyes (100%) had stable or improved vision, and 28 eyes (70%) showed an improvement of 2 lines or more. All lesions were in the cicatricial stage of CNV at 12 months of follow-up, with no leakage of fluorescein in the late phase of fluorescein angiography and no intraretinal edema, SRF, and/or PED detected by OCT. No drug-related systemic or ocular side effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal bevacizumab is generally well tolerated and improves BCVA in eyes with subfoveal idiopathic CNV over a period of 12 months. Large, randomized, controlled, long-term clinical trials are required to further evaluate the efficacy and optimal strategy of this treatment modality.

Near-infrared autofluorescence in patients with idiopathic submacular choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

To investigate near-infrared autofluorescence (IR-AF) patterns and related changes in patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB).

DESIGN

Retrospective observational consecutive case series.

METHODS

Bevacizumab was intravitreally injected into 12 eyes of 12 patients with idiopathic CNV as the primary treatment. Color fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and autofluorescence imaging short-wavelength and near-infrared autofluorescence (SW-AF and IR-AF) were performed at baseline. Changes in the autofluorescence patterns were evaluated after IVB.

RESULTS

All 12 eyes had classic CNV on fluorescein angiography at baseline. OCT showed CNV above the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in all eyes. After treatment, the final best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (P < .001) compared with baseline. IR-AF showed ring-shaped hyperautofluorescence surrounding the CNV corresponding to the dark rim on ICGA in 6 of the 12 eyes on IR-AF at baseline. During the follow-up period after IVB, all 12 eyes had ring-shaped hyperautofluorescence. The intensity of the ring-shaped autofluorescence and its contrast increased as the CNV regressed. The contrast of the ring-shaped autofluorescence partially decreased in all 3 eyes with a recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Ring-shaped hyperautofluorescence on IR-AF in the eyes with idiopathic CNV may indicate an involutional process of CNV enveloped by the RPE because its area corresponded to the dark rim on ICGA that reflects regression of idiopathic CNV. IR-AF can be a useful noninvasive adjunctive examination to evaluate the involution of CNV.