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Brachytherapy combined with bevacizumab decreases central retinal thickness
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WAILEA, Hawaii — Epiretinal brachytherapy combined with bevacizumab results in a decrease in central retinal thickness in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration, according to 1-year evaluation results.
The effects of the NeoVista Ophthalmic System, which delivers strontium-90 brachytherapy by retinal approach, are being studied in a prospective phase 2 trial that incorporates Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech).
"If you can make the lesion shrink up while at the same time controlling the edema, you might have a one-two punch that provides a less invasive treatment," David M. Brown, MD, said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists here.
Thirty-four patients were enrolled to receive 24 Gy beta radiation by retinal approach through a partial core vitrectomy. Patients were randomized to two groups; one received the anti-VEGF component before and after surgery and the other during and after surgery. Minimal use of VEGF therapy followed.