One-year outcomes of Aflibercept for refractory diabetic macular edema in Bevacizumab nonresponders

Management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema patients: Review of real-world clinical data

The high prevalence of Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a real global health problem. Its complex pathophysiology involves different pathways. Over the last decade, the introduction of intravitreal treatments has dramatically changed the management and prognosis of DME. Among the different treatment options, inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and intravitreal steroids implants represent the first-line therapy of DME. We conducted a review of electronic databases to compile the available evidence about the clinical management of DME in a clinical setting, with a special focus on treatment-naïve patients. Anti-VEGF therapies represent a valuable option for treating DME patients. However, many patients do not respond properly to this treatment and, due to its administration regimen, many patients receive suboptimal treatment in real life. Current evidence demonstrated that in patients with DME, DEX-i improved significantly both anatomic and visual outcomes. Besides eyes with insufficient anti-VEGF respond or recalcitrant DME cases, DEX-i can be effectively and safely used in treatment-naïve DME patients as first line therapy. DEX-i may be considered first line therapy in different clinical scenarios, such as DME eyes with a greater inflammatory component, patients with cardiovascular events, vitrectomized eyes, or those requiring cataract surgery. In conclusion, there are still many points for improvement pending in the clinical management of the patient with DME. Since DME treatment must follow a patient-tailored approach, selecting the best therapeutic approach for each patient requires a good understanding of the pathophysiology of DME.

Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema Non-Responsive to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Ontario, Canada

Purpose

To understand the demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, visual and anatomic responses of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) initially treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in the real-world clinical setting.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records to identify consecutively presenting patients with DME who received their first documented anti-VEGF injection (index injection) on or after 1 October 2015 and before 30 September 2016 (index period) at 4 clinical sites in Ontario, Canada. Patients receiving anti-VEGF injections in the study eye were followed for ≥18 months. After the first 3 monthly injections, patients were classified as "responder" (≥20% reduction in central retinal thickness [CRT] from index date) or "nonresponder" (<20% reduction in CRT) to anti-VEGF treatment.

Results

At 12 months, change from baseline (CFB) in best visual acuity (BVA) of responders (n = 30) was mean (SD) 12.8 (13.00) letters; CFB in nonresponders (n = 56) was 3.2 (16.3) letters. Sensitivity analyses stratified by initial BVA were supportive. Mean (SD) change in CRT (μm) was -160.4 (111.4) in responders and -62.2 (98.6) in nonresponders. While changes in anti-VEGF therapy were lower in responders versus nonresponders (10.0% vs 23.2%), mean number of injections was similar (8.3 in each cohort).

Conclusion

Despite receiving a substantial number of injections and requiring changes in therapy more frequently, nonresponders showed a lack of clinically meaningful change in BVA and CRT. Nonresponders could be identified after 3 anti-VEGF injections. There remains an unmet need for treatment options in patients with DME who show a nonresponse after 3 months of anti-VEGF treatment.

Clinical Application of Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection for Diabetic Macular Edema Comparing Two Loading Regimens

Background and Objectives: We investigated and compared the efficacy of three and five monthly loading regimens of an intravitreal aflibercept injection (IVA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study that included patients diagnosed with DME and treated with an either three or five monthly aflibercept loading regimen from July 2018 to March 2022. Information on clinical characteristics and changes in the central retinal thickness (CRT) were obtained from medical records. Results: In total, 44 eyes of 44 patients with DME treated with IVA were included in this study, with 30 eyes treated with 3-monthly loadings (three-loading group) and 14 eyes with 5-monthly loadings (five-loading group). The mean CRT significantly decreased from the baseline one month after loading in both the three-loading and five-loading groups (p < 0.001). Four cases were refractory to treatment in the three-loading group, while there were no cases of refractory DME in the five-loading group. The stability rate was significantly higher in the five-loading group at three months after loading (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Five-monthly loading regimens of IVA might be favorable for DME considering the rate of refractory cases, stable duration, and the importance of early responsiveness to IVA in DME.

Retrospective analysis of the efficacy of early switching from bevacizumab to aflibercept or ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE

The study aimed to compare the anatomical and functional gains of switching to ranibizumab or aflibercept in eyes with treatment-naive diabetic macular edema (DME) which has an inadequate response to three consecutive bevacizumab injections.

METHODS

This observational, retrospective, comparative study presented 12-month results of 80 patients with DME. One eye of each patient was enrolled, and bevacizumab was switched as aflibercept (40 eyes) or ranibizumab (40 eyes). DME was diagnosed based on a fundoscopic examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), central macular thickness (CMT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (51.2%) were male, and 39 (48.8%) were female, with a mean age of 62.3 ± 6.7 years. At the end of the study, the mean number of intravitreal injections was 8.1 ± 1.8 in the aflibercept group, whereas 8.9 ± 1.4 in the ranibizumab (p = 0.091). The mean CMT decreased from 449.2 ± 69.3 µm to 311.0 ± 48.9 µm in the aflibercept group, and from 444.9 ± 109.2 µm to 316.3 ± 54.5 µm in the ranibizumab group (for both, p < 0.0001). The mean BVCA increased from 49.2 ± 11.1 ETDRS letters to 62.5 ± 9.9 in the aflibercept group (p < 0.0001) and from 49.9 ± 12.0 ETDRS letters to 61.1 ± 9.1 in the ranibizumab group (p < 0.0001). Macular laser treatment was required in 17.5% of the aflibercept group and 22.5% of the ranibizumab group (p = 0.781).

CONCLUSION

Significant improvement was observed with ranibizumab and aflibercept treatments in initial bevacizumab-resistant DME. Early switching therapy may contribute to better visual and anatomical outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in diabetic retinopathy: what we have learned and what should we learn further?

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most frequent microvascular complications of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Laser treatment has been the gold standard treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) for many years. Recently, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been established in the pathogenesis of DR, and the use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy has gained popularity for the management of DR.

AREAS COVERED

This review includes a brief overview of the efficacy and safety of currently available (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept) and potential future (brolucizumab, faricimab, and KSI-301) anti-VEGF agents in patients with DR based mainly on publicly available data from phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept injections demonstrated favorable functional and anatomical outcomes in patients with DME. Moreover, the use of these anti-VEGF agents showed a significant improvement in the severity of DR. Recent clinical research for future anti-VEGF molecules aims to provide higher target-protein binding affinity and prolonged therapeutic effect. Brolucizumab, faricimab, and KSI-301 are three novel anti-VEGF agents that demonstrate promising data for the management of DME and potentially DR.

Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery in Patients With Prior Glaucoma Surgery

PRCIS

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is a safe procedure in glaucomatous eyes with prior glaucoma surgery, evidenced by stable intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication use, acceptable success rate, disease stability, and low complication rates at 1-year postoperative.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the 1-year efficacy and safety of FLACS in glaucomatous eyes with prior glaucoma surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective case series of all consecutive glaucomatous eyes with previous glaucoma surgery that underwent FLACS using the Catalys Precision Laser System with or without concomitant glaucoma surgery at a single ophthalmology center, between 2014 and 2020. Efficacy included change in IOP, glaucoma medication use, best-corrected visual acuity, and surgical success at 12 months postoperatively (POM12). Safety included structural and functional measures of disease stability and postoperative adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 57 eyes with an average age of 62.6±8.1 years were included. At POM12, IOP decreased from 14.5±6.6 mmHg to 13.5±3.7 mm Hg (P=0.22) and glaucoma medication use decreased from 2.1±1.5 to 1.8±1.4 with a marginal significance (P=0.089). Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly in both groups (P<0.001) and surgical success ranged between 74% and 90% according to the study's success criteria. Safety was favorable with disease stability evidenced by lack of deterioration in cup-to-disc ratio, visual field mean deviation, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness. One eye with prior history of trabeculectomy experienced transient bleb leak. Other adverse events were minor without sight-threatening sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that FLACS with or without concomitant glaucoma surgery could be a safe procedure in glaucomatous eyes-a population for which FLACS has been relatively contraindicated. Nonetheless, in those with preexisting filtering bleb, extra attention should be paid to the bleb area.

Safety and outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept in diabetic macular edema - a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of ischemia and microvascular hyperpermeability leading to macular edema has brought anti-VEGF intravitreal therapy into the limelight.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a systematic literature review focusing on the outcomes and safety of the intravitreal use of aflibercept in diabetic macular edema.

METHODS

The studies documented cases with at least three consecutive intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA) repeated monthly with a follow-up period of at least one year. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of reported functional and anatomical improvement of the macula, as reflected by changes in visual acuity and macular thickness measured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In addition, for safety assessment, all reported local and general adverse effects were analyzed.

RESULTS

All studies showed an overall significant anatomical and functional improvement. In patients with the 5 IVA monthly at the beginning of the therapy, the visual gain at 52 weeks varied widely between 5 and 18.9 EDRS letters, with a mean value of 9.48 letters. The higher gain was obtained in treatment naïve patients, with worse VA and increased CST at baseline. The lower gain was obtained in patients previously treated with anti-VEGF. Anti-Platelet Trialists' Collaboration-defined arterial thromboembolic events were not statistically different between the aflibercept group and the laser group.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal aflibercept therapy provides significant improvement in visual acuity and a good safety profile. Randomized studies are needed to document the optimal frequency of intravitreal injections for optimal treatment.

Anti-VEGF-Resistant Retinal Diseases: A Review of the Latest Treatment Options

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy currently plays a central role in the treatment of numerous retinal diseases, most notably exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD), diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. While offering significant functional and anatomic benefits in most patients, there exists a subset of 15–40% of eyes that fail to respond or only partially respond. For these cases, various treatment options have been explored with a range of outcomes. These options include steroid injections, laser treatment (both thermal therapy for retinal vascular diseases and photodynamic therapy for eAMD), abbreviated anti-VEGF treatment intervals, switching anti-VEGF agents and topical medications. In this article, we review the effectiveness of these treatment options along with a discussion of the current research into future directions for anti-VEGF-resistant eyes.