Patient Experience Survey Of Anti-VEGF Treatment for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema

INTRODUCTION

Understanding patient perspectives of treatment may improve adherence and outcomes. This study explored real-world patient experiences with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

This multinational, non-interventional, quantitative, cross-sectional, observational survey assessed treatment barriers/burden, patient-reported visual functioning, and treatment satisfaction in DME and nAMD patients in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, and Spain. Treatment patterns and visual outcomes were extracted from medical charts. Regression models evaluated relationships between adherence, total missed visits, number of anti-VEGF injections and clinical and patient-reported outcomes for visual functioning. Association between treatment satisfaction and aspects of burden were assessed.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 183 DME and 391 nAMD patients. Patients had moderately high vision-related functioning (25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire score: mean=74.8) and were satisfied with their current treatment (mean total score: Macular Disease Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire=59.2; Retinopathy Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire=61.3). Treatment satisfaction scores were worse with higher time-related impacts of treatment (nAMD/DME), higher impacts on finances and daily life (nAMD), negative impact on employment and lower expectations for treatment effectiveness (DME). Most patients reported ≥1 barrier (66.1% DME, 49.2% nAMD patients) related to treatment (35.0%), clinic (32.6%), and COVID-19 (21.1%). Moreover, 44.9% of patients reported some impairment in activities of daily living. Work absenteeism was observed among >60% of working patients. Nearly one-quarter (24.2%) of patients needed ≥1 day to recover from intravitreal injections; most reported ≥30 minutes of travel time (73.7%) and clinic wait time (54.2%). In unadjusted univariable analyses, treatment adherence (vs non adherence) was related to higher most recent visual acuity (β = 8.98 letters; CI, 1.34-16.62) and lower odds of visual acuity below driving vision (≤ 69 letters) (OR = 0.50; CI, 0.25-1.00) .

CONCLUSION

More durable treatments with reduced frequency of injections/visits may reduce treatment burden and improve patient satisfaction, which may enhance adherence and visual outcomes.

A Safe GDNF and GDNF/BDNF Controlled Delivery System Improves Migration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells and Survival in Retinal Ganglion Cells: Potential Usefulness in Degenerative Retinal Pathologies

We assessed the sustained delivery effect of poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)/vitamin E (VitE) microspheres (MSs) loaded with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) alone (GDNF-MSs) or combined with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; GDNF/BDNF-MSs) on migration of the human adult retinal pigment epithelial cell-line-19 (ARPE-19) cells, primate choroidal endothelial (RF/6A) cells, and the survival of isolated mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The morphology of the MSs, particle size, and encapsulation efficiencies of the active substances were evaluated. In vitro release, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) apoptosis, functional wound healing migration (ARPE-19; migration), and (RF/6A; angiogenesis) assays were conducted. The safety of MS intravitreal injection was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin, neuronal nuclei (NeuN) immunolabeling, and TUNEL assays, and RGC in vitro survival was analyzed. MSs delivered GDNF and co-delivered GDNF/BDNF in a sustained manner over 77 days. The BDNF/GDNF combination increased RPE cell migration, whereas no effect was observed on RF/6A. MSs did not alter cell viability, apoptosis was absent in vitro, and RGCs survived in vitro for seven weeks. In mice, retinal toxicity and apoptosis was absent in histologic sections. This delivery strategy could be useful as a potential co-therapy in retinal degenerations and glaucoma, in line with future personalized long-term intravitreal treatment as different amounts (doses) of microparticles can be administered according to patients’ needs.

A Higher Proportion of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) When Combined with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Omega-3 Dietary Supplements Provides Higher Antioxidant Effects in Human Retinal Cells

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key regulator of retinal function and is directly related to the transport, delivery, and metabolism of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA), in the retina. Due to their functions and location, RPE cells are constantly exposed to oxidative stress. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown to have antioxidant effects by different mechanisms. For this reason, we designed an in vitro study to compare 10 formulations of DHA and EPA supplements from different origins and combined in different proportions, evaluating their effect on cell viability, cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species production, and cell migration using ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, we assessed their ability to rescue RPE cells from the oxidative conditions seen in diabetic retinopathy. Our results showed that the different formulations of n3-PUFAs have a beneficial effect on cell viability and proliferation and are able to restore oxidative induced RPE damage. We observed that the n3-PUFA provided different results alone or combined in the same supplement. When combined, the best results were obtained in formulations that included a higher proportion of EPA than DHA. Moreover, n3-PUFA in the form of ethyl-esters had a worse performance when compared with triglycerides or phospholipid based formulations.

Genetic and environmental factors related to the development of myopic maculopathy in Spanish patients

High myopia and the subsequent degenerative changes of the retina, choroid, and sclera, known as myopic maculopathy (MM), are a serious visual problem in many Asian countries, and are beginning to be so in the south of Europe, especially in the Mediterranean. It is therefore necessary to carry out genetic and environmental studies to determine the possible causes of this disease. This study aims to verify if the genetic factors that have been most related to Asian populations are also associated in two Spanish cohorts. Eight SNPs from six genes (PAX6, SCO2, CCDC102B, BLID, chromosome 15q14, and COL8A1) along with demographic, ophthalmic and environmental factors were analysed in two cohorts from a total of 365 highly myopic subjects and 177 control subjects. The genetic analysis showed that COL8A1 SNP rs13095226 was associated with the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and also seems to play an important role in the increase of axial length. The SNP rs634990 of chromosome 15q14 also showed a significant association with MM, although this was lost after the Bonferroni correction. Additional demographic and environmental factors, namely age, sex, smoking status, and pregnancy history, were also found to be associated with MM and CNV in this population.

Preclinical Evaluation of a Cell-Based Gene Therapy Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System in Choroidal Neovascularization

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive retinal disorder characterized by imbalanced pro- and antiangiogenic signals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ex vivo cell-based gene therapy with stable expression of human pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) release using the non-viral Sleeping Beauty (SB100X) transposon system delivered by miniplasmids free of antibiotic resistance markers (pFAR4). Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells were co-transfected with pFAR4-inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) CMV-PEDF-BGH and pFAR4-CMV-SB100X-SV40 plasmids. Laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was performed in rats, and transfected primary cells (transfected RPE [tRPE] and transfected IPE [tIPE] cells) were injected into the subretinal space. The leakage and CNV areas, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), PEDF protein expression, metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2/9), and microglial/macrophage markers were measured. Injection with tRPE/IPE cells significantly reduced the leakage area at 7 and 14 days and the CNV area at 7 days. There was a significant increase in PEDF and the PEDF/VEGF ratio with tRPE cells and a reduction in the MMP-2 activity. Our data demonstrated that ex vivo non-viral gene therapy reduces CNV and could be an effective and safe therapeutic option for angiogenic retinal diseases.

Long-Term PEDF Release in Rat Iris and Retinal Epithelial Cells after Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Mediated Gene Delivery

Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) is a potent antiangiogenic, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective molecule that is the endogenous inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina. An ex vivo gene therapy approach based on transgenic overexpression of PEDF in the eye is assumed to rebalance the angiogenic-antiangiogenic milieu of the retina, resulting in growth regression of choroidal blood vessels, the hallmark of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Here, we show that rat pigment epithelial cells can be efficiently transfected with the PEDF-expressing non-viral hyperactive Sleeping Beauty transposon system delivered in a form free of antibiotic resistance marker miniplasmids. The engineered retinal and iris pigment epithelium cells secrete high (141 ± 13 and 222 ± 14 ng) PEDF levels in 72 hr in vitro. In vivo studies showed cell survival and insert expression during at least 4 months. Transplantation of the engineered cells to the subretinal space of a rat model of choroidal neovascularization reduces almost 50% of the development of new vessels.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Against a background of considerable epidemiological and other evidence implicating omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the negative results of the Age-Related Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) were unexpected. The possibility that the design, setting, intake or subjects of AREDS2 may not have permitted the prophylactic potential of omega-3 to be adequately demonstrated is considered. Epidemiological studies had indicated potential preventative effects of omega-3, and an earlier randomised prospective study (NAT2) showed that patients who achieved high red blood cell membrane EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) levels were significantly protected against AMD compared with those with permanently low EPA/DHA levels. Various methodological differences between these studies are considered. NAT2 included a true placebo group, whereas control subjects in AREDS2 received a nutritional formula already found to be effective in AREDS1, but no placebo for DHA/EPA supplementation. Differences in the handling of non-compliant subjects and the formulation of the test formulations are considered. Given these considerations, and other lines of evidence from laboratory and clinical studies, closing the chapter on omega-3 in AMD prevention may be premature.

Cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab compared with photodynamic treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab with that of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from the perspective of a third-party payer in a Spanish setting.

METHODS

We constructed a Markov model with 5 states defined by visual acuity (VA) in the better-seeing eye (Snellen scale), as follows: VA >20/40, <or=20/40 to >20/80, </or20/80 to >20/200, <or=20/200 to >20/400, and <or=20/400. A death state was also included. We took transition probabilities, number of ranibizumab injections, and number of PDT treatments from the ANCHOR (Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibody for the Treatment of Predominantly Classic Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration) trial. Utilities were taken from a published study of patients' preferences. We used unit costs from our hospital and drug costs from a national database. Resource utilization was determined by an ophthalmologist according to current clinical practice. We performed univariate, threshold, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Incremental costs (2007 euro) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), both discounted at a 3% annual rate, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs; euro/QALY) were determined for the 2-year and life-expectancy time horizons.

RESULTS

Treating patients with varying degrees of visual impairment with ranibizumab instead of PDT, with a 2-year time horizon, was found to be euro18,328 more costly and to confer 0.140 additional QALY (euro131,275/QALY). This ICER was reduced to euro39,398/ QALY for the longer life-expectancy time horizon. According to the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, PDT is the therapy of choice in all cases below the threshold of euro30,000/QALY for the 2-year time horizon. Ranibizumab was the optimal intervention in 26% of cases in the longer lifetime horizon. When the initial VA was <or=20/400, the ICER increased to euro255,477 over 2 years. When ranibizumab was administered on an as-needed basis, as in the PrONTO (Prospective Optical coherence tomography imaging of patients with Neovascular AMD Treated with intra-Ocular ranibizumab) trial, the ICERs were reduced to euro29,566/QALY and euro11,469/QALY in the 2-year and life-expectancy horizons, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, ranibizumab was not cost-effective when administered on a monthly basis. When administered as needed, ranibizumab was cost-effective compared with PDT for the treatment of AMD.

Spontaneous hemolytic uremic syndrome triggered by complement factor H lacking surface recognition domains

Factor H (FH) is an abundant serum glycoprotein that regulates the alternative pathway of complement-preventing uncontrolled plasma C3 activation and nonspecific damage to host tissues. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN2) are associated with polymorphisms or mutations in the FH gene (Cfh), suggesting the existence of a genotype–phenotype relationship. Although AMD and MPGN2 share pathological similarities with the accumulation of complement-containing debris within the eye and kidney, respectively, aHUS is characterized by renal endothelial injury. This pathological distinction was reflected in our Cfh association analysis, which demonstrated that although AMD and MPGN2 share a Cfh at-risk haplotype, the haplotype for aHUS was unique. FH-deficient mice have uncontrolled plasma C3 activation and spontaneously develop MPGN2 but not aHUS. We show that these mice, transgenically expressing a mouse FH protein functionally equivalent to aHUS-associated human FH mutants, regulate C3 activation in plasma and spontaneously develop aHUS but not MPGN2. These animals represent the first model of aHUS and provide in vivo evidence that effective plasma C3 regulation and the defective control of complement activation on renal endothelium are the critical events in the molecular pathogenesis of FH-associated aHUS.

Photodynamic therapy in subfoveal and juxtafoveal idiopathic and postinflammatory choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of idiopathic and inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS

This study represents a non-randomized, multicentre, interventional case series. Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with classic or predominantly classic sub- and juxtafoveal idiopathic CNV and 26 eyes of 24 patients with classic or predominantly classic sub- and juxtafoveal CNV secondary to inflammatory conditions were treated with PDT with verteporfin. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after PDT, the number of lines gained or lost and the number of PDT sessions were analysed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up periods were 20 months (SD 11) and 16 months (SD 9) for the idiopathic and inflammatory groups, respectively. The mean BCVA in idiopathic CNV changed from 0.63 logMAR (SD 0.37) before treatment to 0.82 logMAR (SD 0.43) after treatment (p = 0.16; Student's t-test paired data). The number of treatments performed averaged 2.1 (range 1-4, SD 0.9). The mean BCVA in postinflammatory CNV changed from 0.60 logMAR (SD 0.4) before treatment to 0.57 logMAR (SD 0.6) after treatment (p = 0.79; Student's t-test paired data). The mean number of treatments was 2.6 (range 1-6, SD 1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be useful in stabilizing BCVA in patients with sub- and juxtafoveal postinflammatory CNV and subfoveal idiopathic CNV.

Bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy after transurethral prostatic resection: a case report

Background

Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy affects the anterior portion of the optic nerve and is characterized by sudden, painless visual loss. The affected eye has a relative afferent pupillary defect. The typical funduscopic appearance includes optic disc edema, with associated nerve fiber layer hemorrhage. Risk factors include advanced age, systemic hypertension, nocturnal hypotension, diabetes mellitus, and a small cup-to-disc ratio. Bilateral presentation is rare. Postoperative optic neuropathy has been associated with nonocular surgery; risk factors include a combination of prolonged surgical times, acute systemic hypotension, anemia due to blood loss, or prone positioning. We report for the first time a patient with bilateral, simultaneous anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after elective transurethral prostatic resection.

Case presentation

A 66-year old man underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The preoperative blood pressure was 140/85 mmHg, hemoglobin 15.9 g/dL, and hematocrit 48.6%. Two hours postoperatively, the blood pressure, hemoglobin, and hematocrit dropped dramatically. One day later, transient horizontal diplopia developed. Funduscopy showed a congenitally small cup-to-disc ratio without papillary edema. Other ocular findings were unremarkable. By 4 days postoperatively, sudden and painless amaurosis bilaterally developed when the patient awoke with nausea and vomiting. Visual acuity was no light perception bilaterally. The optic discs were swollen with small hemorrhages. Scans of the head and orbits and electrolyte levels were normal. There were no responses on visual evoked potentials bilaterally. The blood pressure was 90/50 mm Hg, the hemoglobin 7.0 g/dL, and the hematocrit 22.9%, necessitating infusion of three units of packed red blood cells. The blood pressure, hematocrit, and hemoglobin increased to normal levels. Three months later the visual acuity remained no light perception. The pupils were unreactive and there was marked optic disc atrophy bilaterally.

Conclusion

Bilateral and simultaneous acute ischemic optic neuropathy may be a rare but devastating surgical complication. The combination of anemia and hypotension may increase the risk of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy postoperatively after transurethral prostatic resection.

Vitamins C and e reduce retinal oxidative stress and nitric oxide metabolites and prevent ultrastructural alterations in porcine hypercholesterolemia

PURPOSE

Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and retinal degeneration. The current study was conducted to examine vitreoretinal oxidative status in a model of porcine hypercholesterolemia to identify morphologic alterations and analyze the effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E.

METHODS

Adult miniature pigs were fed standard chow, cholesterol-rich chow, or a cholesterol-rich diet supplemented with vitamins C and E. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation, and tocopherol were measured in plasma. Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were measured in vitreous and retinal homogenates. Superoxide anion release in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was analyzed by chemiluminescence. Retinal morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The high-cholesterol group, with increased retinal oxidative stress (P < 0.01) and NO metabolites in the retina (P < 0.05), had increased superoxide anion release (P < 0.05) and showed development of pyknosis, irregular nuclear membranes, and cytoplasmic accumulation of lipids and autophagocytic vacuoles in the RPE cells. Vitamins C and E prevented biochemical changes and most ultrastructural alterations in the RPE.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest an evolving role for hypercholesterolemia through increased retinal oxidative stress and NO synthesis that could be responsible for retinal ultrastructural alterations. The beneficial effects of vitamins C and E in the retinal tissue further support this hypothesis.

The role of retinotomy in an experimental rabbit model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

PURPOSE

To create a model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) using retinotomy with vitrectomy, cryotherapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, which more closely resembles the human pathophysiologic condition.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty albino rabbits were divided into 10 groups of 12 rabbits each and underwent the following procedures: group 1, vitrectomy; group 2, cryotherapy; group 3, PRP intravitreous injection; group 4, retinotomy; group 5, retinotomy and vitrectomy; group 6, retinotomy and cryotherapy; group 7, retinotomy and PRP injection; group 8, retinotomy, vitrectomy, and cryotherapy; group 9, vitrectomy, cryotherapy, and PRP injection and group 10, retinotomy, vitrectomy, cryotherapy, and PRP injection. All animals underwent follow-up examinations with indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography on days 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 after the procedure(s). Retinal changes were categorized according to the classification of Fastenberg et al. At the end of the experiments, the eyes were enucleated, and examined under light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

No retinal detachments (RDs) were observed in groups 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8. RDs of varying severity were observed in group 3 (n = 1), group 7 (n = 2), group 9 (n = 6), and group 10 (n = 12). Light and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining retinotomy with vitreous removal, cryotherapy, and PRP injection creates an efficient and different model of PVR that produced RD in 100% of rabbit eyes.