Abstract
BackgroundDiabetic macular edema (DME) shows a gradual and sustained functional and morphologic response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, but the optimal schedule for initiation of anti-VEGF therapy is not known. This study evaluates the treatment response behavior of DME in the Phase 3 trials of intravitreal aflibercept, with 5 initial intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI), 2 mg every 4 weeks (2q4), in the upload phase.MethodsThis post hoc pooled analysis of the VISTA-DME (NCT01363440) and VIVID-DME (NCT01331681) trials evaluated the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) during the upload phase, using pooled data from both IAI treatment groups [2q4 and 2 mg every 8 weeks (2q8)]. The mean visit-to-visit change in BCVA and CRT, and the respective rate of gainers and losers was calculated for each successive visit. A secondary analysis compared the visit-to-visit change in BCVA between the 2q4 and 2q8 treatment arms during the upload period and the first year treatment period.ResultsThe majority of eyes showed a continuing improvement of BCVA after the first IAI. The proportions of eyes gaining BCVA (≥5 letters) at each visit compared with the previous visit during the IAI 2q4 upload phase were 60 (4-weeks), 19 (8-weeks), 16 (12-weeks), 15 (16-weeks), and 14 % (20-weeks). In contrast, the proportions of eyes losing BCVA (≥5 letters) were 3 (4-weeks), 7 (8-weeks), 7 (12-weeks), 9 (16-weeks), and 8 % (20-weeks), respectively. The odds of BCVA (≥5 letters) gain/loss exceeded 1.7 at each visit (range 1.7–20). Overall, the proportion of patients with BCVA gain ≥5 letters at week 20 (compared with baseline) was 76 and 80 % in the 2q4 and 2q8 groups, respectively. The proportions of eyes showing a visit-to-visit decrease in CRT of ≥30 µm during the first 5 IAI were 77 (4-weeks), 27 (8-weeks), 21 (12-weeks), 17 (16-weeks), and 12 % (20-weeks). In the secondary analysis, the BCVA outcomes were similar for the 2q8 and 2q4 treatment arms.ConclusionsThe data presented here are consistent with continual functional and anatomic improvement following the fourth and fifth initial 2q4 injections, suggesting that an intensive and sufficiently long upload may be beneficial. Trial registration VIVID-DME: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01331681; VISTA-DME: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01363440
Highlights
Diabetic macular edema (DME) shows a gradual and sustained functional and morphologic response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, but the optimal schedule for initiation of anti-VEGF therapy is not known
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications are recognized for improving visual outcomes and decreasing macular fluid in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) [1,2,3]
The 36-month results from the DA VINCI study suggest that 5 initial 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI) may be beneficial, whereas the 2-year Protocol T results show that individualized initiation schemes that led to more than 5 doses for initiation resulted in a favorable outcome [13, 14]
Summary
Diabetic macular edema (DME) shows a gradual and sustained functional and morphologic response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, but the optimal schedule for initiation of anti-VEGF therapy is not known. This study evaluates the treatment response behavior of DME in the Phase 3 trials of intravitreal aflibercept, with 5 initial intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI), 2 mg every 4 weeks (2q4), in the upload phase. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications are recognized for improving visual outcomes and decreasing macular fluid in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) [1,2,3]. Given that the disease is characterized by high levels of intravitreal VEGF [9], there is clearly a rationale for aggressive initial therapy; specific initiation algorithms have not been evaluated as the independent variable within Phase 3 clinical trials, and indirect comparisons-across study populations or drugs usedare of limited value. There are currently no clearly defined predictors for identifying patients with DME who are in need of either an intensified or less intensive initial treatment with anti-VEGF therapy
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