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VEGF plasma levels reduced after bevacizumab injection for DME, AMD
TORONTO — There was significant reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor plasma levels at 1 and 4 weeks after bevacizumab injection in patients with age-related macular degeneration and in patients with diabetic macular edema, a presenter said here.
However, no change in plasma VEGF level was seen after intravitreal injection of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) or Macugen (pegaptanib, Valeant), according to Gerhard Kieselbach, MD, who presented study findings at the American Society of Retina Specialists meeting.
Gerhard Kieselbach
In a randomized prospective study of 60 patients, three cohorts of 10 patients each with AMD and three cohorts of 10 patients each with DME were randomized to receive Avastin (bevacizumab 1.25 mg, Genentech), ranibizumab 0.5 mg or pegaptanib 0.3 mg. Plasma levels were measured before the intravitreal injection in each patient, and at 1 week and 4 weeks.
“Different pharmacodynamics of anti-VEGF therapeutics are a possible cause for the observed significant suppression of systemic plasma VEGF in patients with AMD as well as diabetic macular edema,” Kieselbach said.
Disclosure: Kieselbach has no financial interest in this presentation.