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Complement inhibitor yields insignificant reduction in drusen volume
Eculizumab did not significantly reduce drusen volume in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration, according to a study.
Eculizumab, an inhibitor of terminal complement activation, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical-hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The COMPLETE study included 30 eyes of 30 patients; 20 eyes were randomized to receive intravenous Soliris (eculizumab, Alexion Pharmaceuticals) and 10 eyes received placebo. Patients received 600 mg to 1,200 mg doses of eculizumab for 24 weeks.
The primary outcome measure was a decrease in drusen volume of at least 50% at 26 weeks.
No eyes in the eculizumab group and one eye in the placebo group had at least a 50% reduction of drusen volume at 6 months.
Baseline mean cube root drusen volume was 0.49 mm in the eculizumab group and 0.47 mm in the placebo group. Mean cube root drusen volume at 26 weeks was 0.51 mm in the eculizumab group and 0.42 mm in the placebo group.
Disclosure: See the study for a complete list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.