Healio
Healio
August 12, 2015
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Baseline characteristics help predict visual acuity outcomes after anti-VEGF treatment for wet AMD

Lower best corrected visual acuity, younger age and smaller total area of choroidal neovascularization at baseline may be significant predictors for visual acuity outcomes when treating wet age-related macular degeneration patients with ranibizumab, according to a study.

The retrospective analysis of the phase 3 HARBOR study evaluated demographic and baseline characteristics predictive to visual acuity outcomes in patients with subfoveal wet AMD. Over 12 months, 249 patients were treated with 0.5 mg of Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) monthly and 251 patients were treated with the same dose on an as-needed basis after three monthly loading doses.

Baseline predictors for BCVA change from baseline to month 12 were lower BCVA at presentation, younger age, and smaller total CNV leakage area and area of occult CNV.

Baseline predictors for BCVA gain of 15 letters or more from baseline to month 12 were lower BCVA at presentation, smaller total CNV leakage area and presence of subretinal fluid.

Baseline predictors for 20/40 visual acuity or better at month 12 were higher BCVA at presentation, smaller total CNV leakage area and presence of subretinal fluid.

The only baseline predictor for total number of injections over the 12-month period was greater subretinal fluid thickness at presentation.

“Understanding which biomarkers are predictive of visual and treatment frequency response to anti-VEGF treatment may help retina specialists manage patient expectations and guide treatment decisions from the start of therapy,” the study authors said. – by Kristie L. Kahl

Disclosure: Regillo reports he is a consultant for Allergan, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Regeneron and ThromboGenics, and receives research funding from Allergan, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ophthotech, Regeneron and ThromboGenics. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Regillo CD, et al. Am J Ophthalmol. 2015;doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2015.07.034.