Ocular and developmental outcomes of a dosing study of bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To report 2-year ocular and developmental outcomes for infants receiving low doses of intravitreal bevacizumab for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

A total of 120 premature infants (mean birthweight, 687 g; mean gestational age, 24.8 weeks) with type 1 ROP were enrolled in a multicenter, phase 1 dose de-escalation study. One eye per infant received 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg, 0.063 mg, 0.031 mg, 0.016 mg, 0.008 mg, 0.004 mg, or 0.002 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab; fellow eyes when treated received one dosage level higher. At 2 years, 70 of 120 children (58%) underwent ocular examinations; 51 (43%) were assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients for the association of total dosage of bevacizumab with Bayley subscales were -0.20 for cognitive (95% CI, -0.45 to 0.08), -0.15 for motor (95% CI, -0.41 to 0.14), and -0.19 for language (95% CI, -0.44 to 0.10). Fourteen children (21%) had myopia greater than -5.00 D in one or both eyes, 7 (10%) had optic nerve atrophy and/or cupping, 20 (29%) had strabismus, 8 (11%) had manifest nystagmus, and 9 (13%) had amblyopia.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study cohort, there was no statistically significant correlation between dosage of bevacizumab and Bayley scores at 2 years. However, the sample size was small and the retention rate relatively low, limiting our conclusions. Rates of high myopia and ocular abnormalities do not differ from those reported after larger bevacizumab doses.

Low- and Very Low-Dose Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity: Reactivations, Additional Treatments, and 12-Month Outcomes

PURPOSE

Low-dose and very low-dose intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) have been reported to be successful in short-term treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), down to an initial dose of 0.004 mg. We now report 12-month outcomes for these infants.

DESIGN

Masked, multicenter, dose de-escalation study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred twenty prematurely born infants with type 1 ROP.

METHODS

A cohort of 120 infants with type 1 ROP in at least 1 eye from 2 sequential dose de-escalation studies of low-dose IVB (0.25 mg, 0.125 mg, 0.063 mg, and 0.031 mg) or very low-dose IVB (0.016 mg, 0.008 mg, 0.004 mg, and 0.002 mg) to the study eye; the fellow eye (if also type 1) received 1 dose level higher of IVB. After primary success or failure at 4 weeks, clinical management was at investigator discretion, including all additional treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reactivation of severe ROP by 6 months corrected age, additional treatments, retinal and other ocular structural outcomes, and refractive error at 12 months corrected age.

RESULTS

Sixty-two of 113 study eyes (55%) and 55 of 98 fellow eyes (56%) received additional treatment. Of the study eyes, 31 (27%) received additional ROP treatment, and 31 (27%) received prophylactic laser therapy for persistent avascular retina. No trend toward a higher risk of additional ROP treatment related to initial IVB doses was found. However, time to reactivation among study eyes was shorter in eyes that received very low-dose IVB (mean, 76.4 days) than in those that received low-dose IVB (mean, 85.7 days). At 12 months, poor retinal outcomes and anterior segment abnormalities both were uncommon (3% and 5%, respectively), optic atrophy was noted in 10%, median refraction was mildly myopic (-0.31 diopter), and strabismus was present in 29% of infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal structural outcomes were very good after low- and very low-dose IVB as initial treatment for type 1 ROP, although many eyes received additional treatment. The rate of reactivation of severe ROP was not associated with dose; however, a post hoc data-driven analysis suggested that reactivation was sooner with very low doses.

Plasma Levels of Bevacizumab and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor After Low-Dose Bevacizumab Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Infants

Importance

Intravitreal bevacizumab effectively treats severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), but it enters the bloodstream and may reduce serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), potentially causing detrimental effects on developing organs in the premature infant.

Objective

To evaluate the association of intravitreal bevacizumab with plasma bevacizumab and VEGF concentrations at 2 and 4 weeks after predefined, de-escalating doses of intravitreal bevacizumab were administered to infants with severe ROP.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This phase 1 dose de-escalation case series study was conducted at 10 US hospitals of ophthalmology institutions from May 21, 2015, to May 7, 2019. Blood samples were collected 2 and 4 weeks after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Participants included 83 premature infants with type 1 ROP in 1 or both eyes and no previous ROP treatment. Data were analyzed from April 2017 to August 2021.

Interventions

Study eyes received a single bevacizumab injection of 0.250 mg, 0.125 mg, 0.063 mg, 0.031 mg, 0.016 mg, 0.008 mg, 0.004 mg, or 0.002 mg. When the fellow eye required treatment, one dose higher was administered. Total dose administered at baseline was defined as the sum of doses given to each eye within 3 days of initial study-eye injection.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Plasma bevacizumab concentration at 2 and 4 weeks after injection and the percentage change in plasma VEGF concentrations from pretreatment levels.

Results

A total of 83 infants (mean [SD] age, 25 [2] weeks; 48 boys [58%]) were included in this study. Higher doses of bevacizumab administered at baseline were associated with higher plasma bevacizumab concentrations at 2 weeks (ρ, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.70) and 4 weeks (ρ, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.18-0.64). Plasma VEGF concentrations decreased by 50% or more from pretreatment levels in 40 of 66 infants (61%) at 2 weeks and 31 of 61 infants (51%) at 4 weeks, but no association was observed between the total dose of bevacizumab administered at baseline and percentage change in plasma VEGF concentrations 2 weeks (ρ, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.20) or 4 weeks (ρ, -0.17; 95% CI, -0.41 to 0.08) after injection.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this phase 1 dose de-escalation case series study revealed that bevacizumab doses as low as 0.002 mg were associated with reduced plasma VEGF levels for most infants at 2 and 4 weeks after intravitreal administration; however, no association was observed between total bevacizumab dose administered and reductions in plasma VEGF levels from preinjection to 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of low-dose bevacizumab on neurodevelopment and retinal structure.

Timely recognition of retinal hemorrhage in pediatric abusive head trauma evaluation

BACKGROUND

Distinct patterns of retinal hemorrhages (RHs) are suggestive of abusive head trauma in the context of unexplained intracranial injury. Current recommendations encourage an eye examination within 48 hours of admission due to the rapid resolution of RH. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with a delay in funduscopic examination outside the recommended 48 hours.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was completed on all inpatient consultations by the Child Protection Team with evidence of intracranial injury on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging over 3 years at a large children's hospital. Extracted data included demographic characteristics, history of intubation, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, extraventricular drain placement, seizures, use of vasopressor support, and presence of other injuries. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the patient population, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with delayed eye examinations.

RESULTS

A total of 203 patients met inclusion criteria. Of those, 39 (19.2%) had a delay in initial funduscopic examination. Multivariate analyses revealed that PICU admission, surgical intervention, and seizure activity were significant predictors of delayed examination after controlling for multiple clinical factors. Neurosurgical consultation was shown to be protective against a delayed examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid resolution of RH may occur in child abuse. Prompt ophthalmology examinations and neurosurgery consultation when child abuse is suspected help avoid a delay in diagnosis.

Overminus Lens Therapy for Children 3 to 10 Years of Age With Intermittent Exotropia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

This is the first large-scale randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of overminus spectacle therapy for treatment of intermittent exotropia (IXT).

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of overminus spectacles to improve distance IXT control.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial conducted at 56 clinical sites between January 2017 and January 2019 associated with the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group enrolled 386 children aged 3 to 10 years with IXT, a mean distance control score of 2 or worse, and a refractive error between 1.00 and -6.00 diopters (D). Data analysis was performed from February to December 2020.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to overminus spectacle therapy (-2.50 D for 12 months, then -1.25 D for 3 months, followed by nonoverminus spectacles for 3 months) or to nonoverminus spectacle use.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary and secondary outcomes were the mean distance IXT control scores of participants examined after 12 months of treatment (primary outcome) and at 18 months (3 months after treatment ended) assessed by an examiner masked to treatment group. Change in refractive error from baseline to 12 months was compared between groups. Analyses were performed using the intention-to-treat population.

Results

The mean (SD) age of 196 participants randomized to overminus therapy and 190 participants randomized to nonoverminus treatment was 6.3 (2.1) years, and 226 (59%) were female. Mean distance control at 12 months was better in participants treated with overminus spectacles than with nonoverminus spectacles (1.8 vs 2.8 points; adjusted difference, -0.8; 95% CI, -1.0 to -0.5; P < .001). At 18 months, there was little or no difference in mean distance control between overminus and nonoverminus groups (2.4 vs 2.7 points; adjusted difference, -0.2; 95% CI, -0.5 to 0.04; P = .09). Myopic shift from baseline to 12 months was greater in the overminus than the nonoverminus group (-0.42 D vs -0.04 D; adjusted difference, -0.37 D; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.26 D; P < .001), with 33 of 189 children (17%) in the overminus group vs 2 of 169 (1%) in the nonoverminus group having a shift higher than 1.00 D.

Conclusions and Relevance

Children 3 to 10 years of age had improved distance exotropia control when assessed wearing overminus spectacles after 12 months of overminus treatment; however, this treatment was associated with increased myopic shift. The beneficial effect of overminus lens therapy on distance exotropia control was not maintained after treatment was tapered off for 3 months and children were examined 3 months later.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02807350.

Short-term Outcomes After Very Low-Dose Intravitreous Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Importance

Intravitreous bevacizumab (0.25 mg to 0.625 mg) is commonly used to treat type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), but there are concerns about systemic toxicity, particularly the risk of neurodevelopmental delay. A much lower dose may be effective for ROP while reducing systemic risk. Previously, after testing doses of 0.25 mg to 0.031 mg, doses as low as 0.031 mg were found to be effective in small cohorts of infants.

Objective

To find the lowest dose of intravitreous bevacizumab effective for severe ROP.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Between April 2017 and May 2019, 59 premature infants with type 1 ROP in 1 or both eyes were enrolled in a masked, multicenter, dose de-escalation study. In cohorts of 10 to 14 infants, 1 eye per infant received 0.016 mg, 0.008 mg, 0.004 mg, or 0.002 mg of intravitreous bevacizumab. Diluted bevacizumab was prepared by individual research pharmacies and delivered using 300-µL syringes with 5/16-inch, 30-guage fixed needles. Analysis began July 2019.

Interventions

Bevacizumab intravitreous injections at 0.016 mg, 0.008 mg, 0.004 mg, or 0.002 mg.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Success was defined as improvement by 4 days postinjection and no recurrence of type 1 ROP or severe neovascularization requiring additional treatment within 4 weeks.

Results

Fifty-five of 59 enrolled infants had 4-week outcomes completed; the mean (SD) birth weight was 664 (258) g, and the mean (SD) gestational age was 24.8 (1.6) weeks. A successful 4-week outcome was achieved for 13 of 13 eyes (100%) receiving 0.016 mg, 9 of 9 eyes (100%) receiving 0.008 mg, 9 of 10 eyes (90%) receiving 0.004 mg, but only 17 of 23 eyes (74%) receiving 0.002 mg.

Conclusions and Relevance

These data suggest that 0.004 mg may be the lowest dose of bevacizumab effective for ROP. Further investigation is warranted to confirm effectiveness of very low-dose intravitreous bevacizumab and its effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels and peripheral retinal vascularization.

Cortical Visual Impairment in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

PURPOSE

To describe the presentation, evolution, and long-term outcome of cortical visual impairment (CVI) in patients with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and to identify risk factors for the development of CVI in patients with symptomatic congenital CMV.

METHODS

Retrospective subanalysis of a long-term prospective cohort study with data gathered from 1982 to 2013.

RESULTS

Eleven of 77 (14.3%) patients with symptomatic CMV, 0 of 109 with asymptomatic CMV, and 51 control patients had CVI. Overall, patients with symptomatic CMV had worse vision than patients with asymptomatic CMV, who in turn had worse vision than control patients. Microcephaly, intracranial calcification, dilatation of ventricles, encephalomalacia, seizure at birth, optic atrophy, chorioretinitis/retinal scars, strabismus, and neonatal onset of sensorineural hearing loss were risk factors associated with CVI.

CONCLUSIONS

CVI may result from symptomatic congenital CMV infection. The relationship of CVI and its risk factors in patients with CMV suggests the potential to predict the development of CVI through predictive modeling in future research. Early screening of CVI in children born with symptomatic congenital CMV can facilitate educational, social, and developmental interventions. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(3):194-202.].

Clinical Pearl: The "Rule of 8"

Preschool-aged children typically perform worse than 20/20 on visual acuity testing in the absence of ocular or visual pathway abnormalities due to non-ocular issues, including concentration, cooperation, and/or confidence. As a result, vision screening for this age group can be a challenge. The "Rule of 8" is an easy-to-remember, highly effective mnemonic that clinicians can use to help differentiate children who are performing visual acuity testing at age-appropriate levels from those who may need further evaluation. [J Pediatric Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54:e75-e76.].

Assessment of Lower Doses of Intravitreous Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Phase 1 Dosing Study

Importance

Intravitreous bevacizumab (0.25 to 0.625 mg) is increasingly used to treat type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), but there remain concerns about systemic toxicity. A much lower dose may be effective while reducing systemic risk.

Objective

To find a dose of intravitreous bevacizumab that was lower than previously used for severe ROP, was effective in this study, and could be tested in future larger studies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Between May 2015 and September 2016, 61 premature infants with type 1 ROP in 1 or both eyes were enrolled in a masked, multicenter, phase 1 dose de-escalation study. One eye of 10 to 14 infants received 0.25 mg of intravitreous bevacizumab. If successful, the dose was reduced for the next group of infants (to 0.125 mg, then 0.063 mg, and finally 0.031 mg). Diluted bevacizumab was delivered using 300 µL syringes with 5/16-inch, 30-gauge fixed needles.

Interventions

Bevacizumab injections at 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg, 0.063 mg, and 0.031 mg.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Success was defined as improvement in preinjection plus disease or zone I stage 3 ROP by 5 days after injection or sooner, and no recurrence of type 1 ROP or severe neovascularization requiring additional treatment within 4 weeks.

Results

Fifty-eight of 61 enrolled infants had 4-week outcomes completed; mean birth weight was 709 g and mean gestational age was 24.9 weeks. Success was achieved in 11 of 11 eyes at 0.25 mg, 14 of 14 eyes at 0.125 mg, 21 of 24 eyes at 0.063 mg, and 9 of 9 eyes at 0.031 mg.

Conclusions and Relevance

A dose of bevacizumab as low as 0.031 mg was effective in 9 of 9 eyes in this phase 1 study and warrants further investigation. Identifying a lower effective dose of bevacizumab may reduce the risk for neurodevelopmental disability or detrimental effects on other organs.

Pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab and its effects on serum VEGF and IGF-1 in infants with retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To measure serum levels of bevacizumab and to compare serum levels of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in infants who were treated with either intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) or laser for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

Twenty-four infants with type 1 ROP were randomized into three treatment groups: IVB at 0.625 mg per eye per dose, IVB at 0.25 mg per eye per dose, and laser. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment and on posttreatment days 2, 14, 42, and 60. Weekly body weights were documented from birth until 60 days post treatment. Serum levels of bevacizumab, free VEGF, and IGF-1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Serum bevacizumab was detected 2 days after the injection, peaked at 14 days, and persisted for up to 60 days with half-life of 21 days. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis showed that systemic exposure to bevacizumab was variable among the subjects and was dose dependent. Serum free VEGF levels decreased in all three subgroups 2 days post treatment, with more significant reductions found in both IVB-treated groups, P = 0.0001. Serum IGF-1 levels were lower in both IVB-treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Clearance of bevacizumab from the bloodstream in premature infants takes at least 2 months. Although serum free VEGF levels decreased following either laser or bevacizumab treatment, the reductions were more significant in the IVB-treated groups. Potential long-term effects of systemic exposure to bevacizumab in infants need to be studied further.

Familial gliomas : a case report

Two non-twin brothers were found to have intracranial malignant neoplasms. The age of presentation was third and fourth decade but the onset was simultaneous, at the same time. Diagnosis in each of them was made by computed tomography and confirmed by histopathology. Elder among them had cellular ependymoma and the younger had oligodendroglioma. Both the brothers received radiotherapy post operatively and were surviving asymptomatically without any neurological deficit, leading active life as police constable, 12 months after surgical treatment.