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Avastin: ‘Big player’ in AMD treatment

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PHILADELPHIA – Here at the PRIMARY CARE OPTOMETRY NEWS Symposium, practitioners discussed the promise of Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech) in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The drug, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, has yielded favorable results in the off-label treatment of AMD.

According to PCON Editorial Board member Leo P. Semes, OD, Avastin may play a role in the neovascularization of the disc and iris, as an adjunct treatment for diabetic retinopathy and for cystoid macular edema. Genentech also manufactures Lucentis (ranibizumab), another major drug for treating AMD. The cost of Avastin, at $50, is significantly lower than the other AMD medications, including Lucentis. The National Institutes of Health has recently called for a head-to-head comparison study of the two.

The trial will enroll 1,200 patients at 40 centers, 20 of which have already been chosen. It will randomly assign each patient to receive one of the four treatment regimens: Lucentis fixed, Avastin fixed, Lucentis variable and Avastin variable.

“The big news is that Avastin will be a player and will do a lot of good for our patients,” Dr. Semes said.