Study Comparing Ranibizumab Monotherapy With Combined Verteporfin Therapy in Subfoveal CNV

University Hospital Basel

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 3

Conditions

Choroidal Neovascularization

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Treatments

Drug: intravitreal ranibizumab

Drug: intravitreal ranibizumab & photodynamic therapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00429962

081-PRC-2006-005

Details and patient eligibility

About

This pilot study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab used in combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (Visudyne®) compared to ranibizumab monotherapy for the treatment of subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD

Full description

Intravitreal ranibizumab has shown to increase average vision in patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD. However, the treatment does not provide benefit to all patients and the treatment regimen requires monthly intravitreal injections. Ranibizumab is an anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody fragment. Verteporfin photodynamic therapy acts through occluding newly formed vessels. The combination of these therapies acting through different modes of action bears the potential to provide a more convenient and less frequent therapy while maintaining/improving the increase in vision improvement observed with ranibizumab monotherapy. The strategic goal is to evaluate whether intravitreal ranibizumab in combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy is an effective, safe and convenient treatment for patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD and explore potential advantages of such treatment compared to ranibizumab monotherapy

Enrollment

40 patients

Sex

All

Ages

50 to 95 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

patients over 50 years, subfoveal CNV of any type secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), no "macula-treatment for the last 30 days (e.g. with PDT, TA, Laser, Macugen®).
- the area of the CNV must occupy at least >50% of the lesion (total lesion size under 5400 microns in greatest linear dimension)
- Occult CNV:
  - recent disease progression
  - bleeding
  - VA decreased the last three months >5 letters or 2 or more than two lines (Snellen)
  - 10% increase of the lesion size the last three months
Best corrected visual acuity score between 24-73 letters (20/40 to 20/320) (ETDRS 4 m)

Exclusion criteria

Prior treatment with mit Laser, PDT, Macugen, TA
Prior treatment with radiatio, vitrectomy, transpupillary thermotherapy
History of surgical intervention in the study eye within two months preceding day 1
concurrent use of systemic anti-VEGF agents
previous treatment with or participation in a clinical trial involving anti-angiogenic drugs (Pegaptanib, ranibizumab, anecortave acetate of corticosteroids).
Ocular disorders in the study eye that may confound interpretation of the study results, including retinal detachment or macular hole (Stage 3 or 4), active intraocular inflammation (grade trace or above) or persistent macular edema due to uveitis or other inflammatory diseases
Retinal pigment epithelium tear, vitreous hemorrhage or history of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment or macular hole in the study eye
History of idiopathic or autoimmune-associated uveitis in either eye, active infectious conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis or endophthalmitis in either eye
Extracapsular extraction of cataract with phacoemulsification within two months preceding day 1, or a history of post-operative complications within the last 12 months preceding day 1 or a history of post-operative complications within the last 12 months preceding day 1 in the study eye (uveitis, cyclitis, iritis etc.)
Glaucoma with IOP>25 mmHg despite therapy
Aphakia or absence of the posterior capsule in the study eye
Spherical equivalent >-8