CAT-152 safe, efficacious in early trials as trabeculectomy adjunct

NICE, France — An anti-scarring agent, used before and after trabeculectomy, seems to be safe and effective in lowering intraocular pressure, according to early clinical results presented here.

“Cat 152 is capable of neutralizing the scarring effects of transforming growth factor beta 2, which is the most potent stimulator of scarring after surgery in the eye,” P. Meade, MD, said here at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

In two pilot clinical trials, Dr. Meade and colleagues assessed the safety and efficacy of CAT-152 (Cambridge Antibody Technology), a cytokine inhibitor.

“In 24 patients in the first study, we found that CAT-152 brought on fewer side effects and complications than placebo, and all blebs were diffuse,” she said.

In a second study, 56 patients were monitored for up to 18 months to determine the level of IOP-lowering in surgery with adjunctive CAT-152.

“Results here too were encouraging,” Dr. Meade said. “IOP was significantly reduced to a mean 14 mm Hg for patients in the CAT-152 group, and a mean of 16.6 mm Hg for patients receiving placebo.”

In light of promising results, a multicenter trial will be performed throughout Europe.