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PDGF agent may offer promise in combination therapy for CNV secondary to AMD
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KOLOA, Hawaii — A novel platelet-derived growth factor currently being studied in clinical trials may boost the effect of anti-VEGF therapy and provide a benefit in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration, according to a speaker here.
 Peter K. Kaiser |
"Anti-VEGF does not change CNV size," Peter K. Kaiser, MD, said at Retina 2010. "Leakage changes, but the CNV does not disappear."
A phase 1 trial of E10030 (Ophthotech), a PDGF-B inhibitor, showed indications of a biological signal, leading the company to initiate funding for a phase 2 study, Dr. Kaiser said. In the study, combination therapy with E10030 and three doses of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) produced a mean change in visual acuity of 12.3 letters at 4 weeks in 22 patients, which increased to a mean change of 16.5 letters in 20 patients by 12 weeks of follow-up. Overall, 32% of patients gained three lines of visual acuity at 4 weeks and 60% at 12 weeks.
PDGF was targeted, Dr. Kaiser said, because it recruits pericytes to newly formed lesions. Theoretically, the novel agent stops pericyte recruitment and may also be effective in eliminating pericytes in recently formed lesions.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2011 will be held January 16-21, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Ka'anapali, Maui. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com.