Clinical Trials for Wet AMD (August 2007)
Sorry for the summer lull in new blogs. I’ll try to be a more faithful correspondent. Following is some information on some of the clinical trials.
VERITAS
This trial compared combination treatment with PDT plus pegaptanib, (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech), to that of combination treatment with PDT plus triamcinolone acetonide Kenalog, (Bristol –Meyers Squibb), in two different doses (1 and 4 mg). Macugen® is a VEGF inhibitor that preceeded Lucentis® and Avastin®. Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid. Dr. Peter Kaiser, the director of the study, announced that all three of the groups lost vision at the six-month examination and that there was no difference between the three groups. Overall the results of these treatments seemed to be better than treatment with PDT alone but were not as good as the ranibizumab,(Lucentis®. Genenetch), results.
DENALI
The Denali study is underway and compares three groups: Lucentis alone, Lucentis with full light-dose PDT, and Lucentis with half light-dose PDT. The main hope is that the PDT will reduce the number of injections needed to control the neovascularization without causing vision loss. It is a long shot but it is also possible that the added PDT would improve the excellent vision results of treatment with Lucentis alone.
CATT
This stands for Comparisons of AMD Treatments Trial. The meeting to launch this study will be in September in Philadelphia. The trial will have four treatment arms: Lucentis monthly; Avastin monthly; three injections of Lucentis followed by additional injections of Lucentis as needed; and three injections of Avastin followed by additional injections of Avastin as needed. Most doctors believe there is little difference between the two drugs. Many of them are switching to Avastin because of its lower cost. This study should tell us if Lucentis is better than Avastin or if it has fewer side-effects.
VERITAS
This trial compared combination treatment with PDT plus pegaptanib, (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech), to that of combination treatment with PDT plus triamcinolone acetonide Kenalog, (Bristol –Meyers Squibb), in two different doses (1 and 4 mg). Macugen® is a VEGF inhibitor that preceeded Lucentis® and Avastin®. Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid. Dr. Peter Kaiser, the director of the study, announced that all three of the groups lost vision at the six-month examination and that there was no difference between the three groups. Overall the results of these treatments seemed to be better than treatment with PDT alone but were not as good as the ranibizumab,(Lucentis®. Genenetch), results.
DENALI
The Denali study is underway and compares three groups: Lucentis alone, Lucentis with full light-dose PDT, and Lucentis with half light-dose PDT. The main hope is that the PDT will reduce the number of injections needed to control the neovascularization without causing vision loss. It is a long shot but it is also possible that the added PDT would improve the excellent vision results of treatment with Lucentis alone.
CATT
This stands for Comparisons of AMD Treatments Trial. The meeting to launch this study will be in September in Philadelphia. The trial will have four treatment arms: Lucentis monthly; Avastin monthly; three injections of Lucentis followed by additional injections of Lucentis as needed; and three injections of Avastin followed by additional injections of Avastin as needed. Most doctors believe there is little difference between the two drugs. Many of them are switching to Avastin because of its lower cost. This study should tell us if Lucentis is better than Avastin or if it has fewer side-effects.
posted by FEP International at 12:01 PM
3 Comments:
Dr. Folk,
Is it safe to switch to Avastin after 3 Lucentis injections or vice versa?
Thanks.
Arthur
Response: I think that Avastin and Lucentis can be used interchangeably in the vast majority of patients. Some doctors like to switch over to Avastin because they believe that it lasts longer (six weeks) than Lucentis (four weeks). Avastin may be useful therefore in in patients who need ongoing injections to control their neovascularization. Thanks, JCF
Dear Dr. Folk,
Thanks very much for your help!
Arthur
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