Lucentis vs PDT: ANCHOR study, 1-year results

Genentech has just announced the one-year results of the ANCHOR study which compares Lucentis®, injected into the eye once a month for two years, to PDT (Visudyne®), administered to the eye every three months for two years. Below is the short summary with the link which provides more information:

Lucentis® more effective than Visudyne in treating wet AMD
Genentech says the first year of a second Phase III ANCHOR study shows patients treated with 0.5 mg of its investigational drug Lucentis gained an average of 11 letters, while patients treated with PDT lost an average of 9.5 letters. In November, Genentech announced that the Phase III ANCHOR study met its primary efficacy endpoint of maintaining vision (defined as a loss of less than 15 letters in visual acuity) in patients with wet AMD. “Lucentis is the first investigational therapy that has shown improved vision, not just a slowing of vision loss, in patients with all types of wet AMD," said Peter K. Kaiser, M.D., director, Clinical Research Center, The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. "As a result, physicians may be one step closer to being able to set a new expectation for the future treatment of this condition."

http://aaoblasts.aao.org/t/39720/5702848/20356/0/

In summary, Lucentis® was much better than PDT. On average, after one year, patients treated with Lucentis®, had three and a half to four lines better acuity than did patients treated with PDT. The only disadvantage to Lucentis® is that is must be injected into the eye very month. The SAILOR study is testing whether Lucentis® is still effective if it’s given once a month for three months and thereafter only as needed. The PIER study is testing whether Lucentis® is effective when given once a month for three months and thereafter only every three months for two years.

Lucentis® is the clearly the best treatment for AMD. Lucentis® has also been tested in clinical trials more than Macugen® and at least as well as Visudyne®. Every trial testing Lucentis® has had similar and positive results. The FDA should approve this drug as soon as possible before more people lose vision from wet AMD.