Use of Anti-VEGF Drugs in Retinal Vein Occlusions

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193
Author(s):  
Manuel AP Vilela
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Western World ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusions

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is one of the most prevalent causes of visual loss in the Western World. Its pathogenesis is still not completely known. Chronic macular edema and ischemia compromise the functional and anatomical status of the retina. Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have demonstrated better results than other previous options, including observation or laser therapy. This narrative review aims to analyze the current aspects related to these drugs.

Evaluation of Patients Receiving Intravitreal Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Diabetic Macular Edema in Clinical Practice in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 247412642095306
Author(s):  
John D. Pitcher ◽  
Andrew A. Moshfeghi ◽  
Genevieve Lucas ◽  
Nick Boucher ◽  
Hadi Moini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Diabetic Macular Edema ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treatment Frequency ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Injection Frequency ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Purpose: We assessed the effect of treatment frequency with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents on visual acuity (VA) in diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: This retrospective analysis assessed electronic medical records of eyes newly diagnosed with DME and treated with an anti-VEGF agent at US clinics using the Vestrum Health (Naperville, Illinois) treatment and outcomes database. Eyes were divided into 2 injection frequency subcohorts (≤ 6 vs > 6 injections/y); treatment frequency and change in mean VA (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters) were evaluated. Results: Among 155 240 eyes assessed, 3028 met inclusion criteria for analysis in year 1 and 1292 in year 2. During year 1 of treatment, 57% (n = 1725) received > 6 injections; most continued to receive the same injection frequency during year 2. Mean VA gain from baseline at year 1 was lower in the ≤ 6 than in the > 6 injections/year subcohort (3.7 vs 8.0 letters, respectively; P < .001). Mean VA change from the end of year 1 to year 2 for eyes receiving ≤ 6 injections in year 1 generally remained unchanged, irrespective of year 2 dosing frequency. In eyes that received > 6 injections in year 1, mean VA loss was significantly greater for eyes receiving less-frequent dosing in year 2 than in those maintained on > 6 injections. Conclusions: More than 50% of eyes with DME in routine clinical practice that completed at least 1 year of follow-up received > 6 injections of an anti-VEGF agent during the first year, resulting in better VA gains than eyes treated less frequently.

scholarly journals Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Era

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Jeannette Y. Stallworth ◽  
Akshay S. Thomas ◽  
Ryan Constantine ◽  
Sandra S. Stinnett ◽  
Sharon Fekrat
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Treatment Patterns ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Central Retinal Vein

Purpose: This article describes treatment patterns and visual outcomes for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) era. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of eyes diagnosed with CRVO between 2009 and 2016 was conducted. Treatment history and visual acuity (VA) measurements were abstracted from medical records and analyzed. Results: A total of 476 eyes of 476 patients (median age 67 years, median follow-up 25.4 months) were included. Optical coherence tomography was obtained in 93.9% and fluorescein angiography in 80% of cases on presentation. Mean VA at presentation and final visit was 20/60 and 20/94, respectively, for eyes with nonischemic CRVO, whereas that of ischemic cases remained worse than 20/800 at final follow-up. Intravitreal bevacizumab was the most common first treatment (42.2%). Intravitreal steroid was the first treatment in 3.6% and ultimately administered in 11.3% of eyes. In the first year, an average of 5.2 ± 3.6 and 2.2 ± 3.4 anti-VEGF injections were given in treatment-naive and nontreatment-naive eyes, respectively. Conclusions: In our real-world cohort, anti-VEGF injection burden and frequency are lower than in published clinical trials. Visual outcomes in both ischemic and nonischemic eyes with CRVO are poorer than expected and worse than those recorded in controlled trial settings.

scholarly journals Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection and Treatment Regimens in Macular Edema due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

2019 ◽  
pp. 92-98
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Intravitreal Aflibercept ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is the most common form of retinal vein occlusions (RVO), which is the second most common retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. The most common cause of visual loss in BRVO is macular edema. Since the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected in the pathogenesis of macular edema due to BRVO, studies have been made with available anti-VEGF agents and different treatment regimens. Those treatment regimens can be listed as; monthly / bi-monthly fixed interval, as needed (Pro Re Nata; PRN), treat and extend (T&E). Aflibercept acts as a decoy receptor that binds to VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor. There are publications indicating that this agent binds VEGF with a higher affinity than other anti-VEGF agents and thus provides a longer treatment efficacy. This review summarizes the studies about the use of aflibercept in different regimens for the treatment of macular edema due to BRVO.

scholarly journals Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Dosing Frequency and Visual Outcomes in Macular Edema Following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

2021 ◽  
pp. 247412642198922
Author(s):  
Yasha S. Modi ◽  
Lediana Goduni ◽  
Hadi Moini ◽  
Andrea Gibson ◽  
Nick Boucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
The Us ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Dosing Frequency ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Central Retinal Vein

Purpose: We evaluated the relationship between dosing frequency of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents and visual acuity (VA) outcomes over 2 years in eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the US routine clinical practice setting. Methods: This retrospective analysis assessed electronic medical records of eyes with ME secondary to CRVO that received their first anti-VEGF injection January 1, 2012, to May 31, 2016, and were followed for 1 year or more in the US-based Vestrum Health Treatment and Outcomes database. Eyes were divided into 2 injection frequency subcohorts (≤6 or ≥7 injections/year). Results: Overall, 851 (34.6%) of 2458 eyes with ME secondary to CRVO received 6 or fewer injections, and 1607 (65.4%) received 7 or more injections through 1 year. The mean number of injections in patients receiving 6 or fewer injections and 7 or more injections was 4.7 and 8.8, respectively, and baseline mean VA was 35 and 37 letters, respectively. At year 1, mean letter gain from baseline was less in eyes receiving 6 or fewer injections vs in those receiving 7 or more injections (7.0 vs 12.2, P < .001). Mean VA at year 2 was 50 letters in eyes receiving 6 or fewer injections (n = 50) and 55 letters in eyes receiving 7 or more injections (n = 157). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, more frequent dosing with anti-VEGF agents was associated with greater visual benefits in eyes with ME secondary to CRVO.

scholarly journals Refractive outcomes after intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor versus laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity: a meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e042384
Author(s):  
Qihang Kong ◽  
Wai-kit Ming ◽  
Xue-Song Mi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Refractive Status ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of the intraocular injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs on the refractive status of infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of the refractive status of infants with ROP who receive anti-VEGF drugs.Data sourcesThe PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov website were searched up to June 2020.Eligibility criteria when selecting studiesWe included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared refractive errors between anti-VEGF drug and laser therapies.Data extraction and synthesisData extraction and risk-of-bias assessments were conducted by two independent reviewers. We used a random-effect model to pool outcomes. The outcome measures were the spherical equivalents, axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT).ResultsThirteen studies involving 1850 eyes were assessed: 914 in the anti-VEGF drug group, and 936 in the control (laser) group. Children who received anti-VEGF drug treatment had less myopia than those who received laser therapy (mean difference=1.80 D, 95% CI 0.97 to 2.63, p＜0.0001, I2=78%). The AL, ACD and LT did not reach statistical significance difference between the two groups. The current evidence indicates that the refractive safety in children with ROP is better for anti-VEGF drug treatment than for laser therapy.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates that anti-VEGF drug therapy results in less myopia compared with laser therapy. However, there are relatively few published articles on refractive errors in ROP, and so high-quality and powerful RCTs are needed in the future.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020160673.

scholarly journals Association between Inflammatory Factors in the Aqueous Humor and Hyperreflective Foci in Patients with Intractable Macular Edema Treated with Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Kaichuan Chen ◽  
Jia Wang ◽  
Minjie Sheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Aqueous Humor ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Hyperreflective Foci ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Prognosis Evaluation ◽  
Sd Oct

Background. To evaluate the correlations between the inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor and hyperreflective foci (HRF) in patients with intractable macular edema treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Methods. This study included 17 patients with intractable macular edema (ME) treated with anti-VEGF agents. Inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor were measured by the Cytometric Beads Array before injection, and the numbers of HRF pre- and post-anti-VEGF treatment were counted from four different directions (90 degrees, 45 degrees, 180 degrees, and 135 degrees) in the SD-OCT images, respectively, before treatment and one month after treatment. The correlations between inflammatory factors and the numbers of HRF were assessed. Results. The numbers of HRF were reduced significantly after anti-VEGF treatment. The change in the HRFs at the 90-degree location was significantly positively correlated with IL-8 and VCAM-1. The change of all HRFs was significantly positively correlated with IL-8. The HRFs before the treatment also had a positive correlation with IL-8 and VCAM-1. Conclusion. After anti-VEGF treatment, the numbers of HRF in intractable ME declined greatly. The higher the levels of IL-8 and VCAM-1 before treatment, the more significant the reduction of HRF after anti-VEGF treatment, which indicated that HRF could be an effective noninvasive imaging indicator for evaluating the effect of anti-VEGF on intractable macular edema. The OCT images at the 90-degree location could better show the inflammatory reaction of patients and also had better clinical significance for the prognosis evaluation of ME associated with inflammation.

scholarly journals Choroidal Vascularity Index as a Biomarker for Visual Response to Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Diabetic Macular Edema

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ningxin Dou ◽  
Shanshan Yu ◽  
Ching-Kit Tsui ◽  
Boyu Yang ◽  
Jianqiang Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Edema ◽  
Diabetic Macular Edema ◽  
Subretinal Fluid ◽  
Visual Response ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor Treatment

Purpose. To investigate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) as a prognostic factor for the visual efficacy of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 92 DME eyes receiving anti-VEGF treatment, which were stratified as responders (≥5 letters gained) and nonresponders (<5 letters gained or lost). Baseline systematic features and optical coherence tomography features, including the CVI, adjusted ellipsoid zone (EZ) reflectivity, subretinal fluid (SRF), and disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL), were evaluated between the two groups. Results. The baseline CVI was significantly lower in nonresponders than in responders ( 0.66 ± 0.05 , 0.69 ± 0.05 , and 0.72 ± 0.05 , p = 0.014 ). After adjusting for other factors, the baseline CVI, DRIL, SRF, and adjusted EZ reflectivity were significantly associated with visual outcomes (CVI: odds   ratio   OR = 0.17 , p = 0.006 ; adjusted EZ reflectivity: OR = 0.56 , p = 0.007 ; DRIL: OR = 6.71 , p = 0.001 ; and SRF: OR = 0.29 , p = 0.008 ). Conclusion. DME patients with a higher CVI, higher adjusted EZ reflectivity, the presence of SRF, and the absence of DRIL at baseline were more likely to gain >5 letters in visual acuity after anti-VEGF treatment. CVI may serve as a novel biomarker for visual response to anti-VEGF treatment in DME.

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