ARVO: Age-Related Macular Degeneration Drugs Equal

Source: www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/19712

ARVO: Age-Related Macular Degeneration Drugs Equal

Last Updated: April 28, 2011.

Study finds bevacizumab and ranibizumab have equivalent effects on visual acuity at one year

After one year, bevacizumab appears to be as effective as ranibizumab in improving visual acuity associated with age-related macular degeneration when administered on the same schedule, according to a study published online April 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine in advance of a presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, to be held from May 1 to 5 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

THURSDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) -- After one year, bevacizumab appears to be as effective as ranibizumab in improving visual acuity associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when administered on the same schedule, according to a study published online April 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine in advance of a presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, to be held from May 1 to 5 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In the randomized Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT), Daniel F. Martin, M.D., of the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, and colleagues randomized 1,208 patients with neovascular AMD to receive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or bevacizumab on a monthly schedule or as needed with monthly evaluation.

The investigators found that bevacizumab given monthly was associated with 8.0 letters gained on the eye chart, and ranibizumab given monthly was tied to 8.5 letters gained. In addition, bevacizumab administered as needed was associated with 5.9 letters gained, and ranibizumab as needed was tied to 6.8 letters gained. Although the comparison between bevacizumab as needed and monthly bevacizumab was inconclusive, ranibizumab as needed was equivalent to monthly ranibizumab. The investigators also found rates of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke to be similar for patients receiving either drug. The proportion of patients with serious systemic adverse events (primarily hospitalizations) was 24.1 percent with bevacizumab and 19 percent with ranibizumab.

"The CATT results, together with the totality of global experience, support the use of either bevacizumab or ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular AMD. An as-needed regimen is an acceptable alternative to a monthly regimen, but strict compliance on the part of both the clinician and the patient is required," writes the author of an accompanying editorial.

One author disclosed a financial relationship with GlaxoSmithKline, while another author disclosed financial ties to Neurotech and SurModics. The editorial author disclosed financial relationships with multiple pharmaceutical companies.