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Title: Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) Holds Promise for Retinal Vascular Diseases: Presented at AAO

"Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) Holds Promise for Retinal Vascular Diseases: Presented at AAO"

By Pippa Wysong CHICAGO, IL -- October 26, 2005 -- Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) has a rapid biologic effect in a variety of retinal vascular diseases, and short-term results show that it is well tolerated with no observed toxic effects, a researcher reported here at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). "Intravitreal Avastin is not going away," said Robert Avery, MD, Ophthalmologist, California Retinal Consultants and Research Foundation, Santa Barbara, California, United States. Various studies show the benefits of bevacizumab and its relatively low price as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is appealing, Dr. Avery said here on October 15[^th.

Bevacizumab is one of several anti-angiogenesis agents being studied for use in AMD. It inhibits vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), which is associated with the growth of new blood vessels.

The drug is approved by the US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of colorectal cancer, but its use in ophthalmology is off-label, Dr. Avery noted.

In a retrospective study of 50 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 77 years, researchers evaluated a total of 81 eyes with AMD. Prior to study enrollment, 78% had not responded to treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Macugen (pegaptanib sodium).

The study excluded patients with poorly controlled hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

Study treatment consisted of one to four intravitreal injections of 1.2 mg (0.05 mL) bevacizumab. Patients underwent follow-up for 1 to 3 months.

Results show a significant decrease in retinal thickness during follow-up visits at weeks 1, 4 and 8, Dr. Avery said.

"Our experience is limited by the small number of patients and the very short follow-up, but a rapid biologic effect is observed," Dr. Avery said. "It seems to penetrate the retina sufficiently for these effects."

He added that prospective clinical trials are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab. He noted that the long-term safety of this agent is not known.

Specific areas of investigation include the role of bevacizumab for the treatment of persistent neovascularization despite panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), vitreal hemorrhage that precludes PRP, and rubeosis.

[Presentation title: Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Retinal Vascular Diseases. Late Breaker]

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