Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Retinal Disorders

Bimonthly injections of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration

Authors: Tomoko Sawada, Masashi Kakinoki, Xiying Wang, Hajime Kawamura, Yoshitsugu Saishin, Masahito Ohji

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 10/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of bimonthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a pilot study.

Methods

This study was a prospective, interventional case series. Thirty eyes of 30 patients received prospectively at least three bimonthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) without loading doses. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal subfield thickness (CRST) were measured before and monthly after the injections.

Results

Twenty-eight patients received the three planned injections; one patient refused the third injection, one patient did not receive the third injection because blood pressure was raised, and one patient received a rescue injection at month 5 because of increased retinal thickness. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA was 0.44 ± 0.37 before treatment and significantly improved to 0.25 ± 0.34 at month 6 (p < 0.001). The mean CRST was 335 ± 85.9 μm before treatment and decreased significantly to 261 ± 78.1 μm at month 6 (p < 0.001). Nine of 30 patients received six planned injections for 12 months. The mean logMAR BCVA was 0.38 ± 0.39 before treatment and significantly improved to 0.18 ± 0.33 at month 12 (p = 0.005). The mean CRST was 360 ± 110.8 μm before treatment and decreased significantly to 249 ± 57.0 μm at month 12 (p = 0.025).

Conclusions

Bimonthly injections of ranibizumab may be effective for treating AMD and PCV.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP, Mariotti SP (2004) Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ 82:844–851PubMedPubMedCentral Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP, Mariotti SP (2004) Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ 82:844–851PubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Kawasaki R, Wang JJ, Ji G, Taylor B, Oizumi T, Daimon M, Kato T, Kawata S, Kayama T, Tano Y, Mitchell P, Yamashita H, Wong TY (2008) Prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in an adult Japanese population. The Funagata Study. Ophthalmology 115:1376–1381PubMedCrossRef Kawasaki R, Wang JJ, Ji G, Taylor B, Oizumi T, Daimon M, Kato T, Kawata S, Kayama T, Tano Y, Mitchell P, Yamashita H, Wong TY (2008) Prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in an adult Japanese population. The Funagata Study. Ophthalmology 115:1376–1381PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Mitchell P, Smith W, Attebo K, Wang JJ (1995) Prevalence of age-related maculopathy in Australia: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology 102:1450–1460PubMedCrossRef Mitchell P, Smith W, Attebo K, Wang JJ (1995) Prevalence of age-related maculopathy in Australia: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology 102:1450–1460PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Maruko I, Iida T, Saito M, Nagayama D, Saito K (2007) Clinical characteristics of exudative age-related macular degeneration in Japanese patients. Am J Ophthalmol 144:12–22CrossRef Maruko I, Iida T, Saito M, Nagayama D, Saito K (2007) Clinical characteristics of exudative age-related macular degeneration in Japanese patients. Am J Ophthalmol 144:12–22CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Lopez PF, Sippy BD, Lambert HM, Thach AB, Hinton DR (1996) Transdifferentiated retinal pigment epithelial cells are immunoreactive for vascular endothelial growth factor in surgically excised age-related macular degeneration-related choroidal neovascular membranes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37:855–868PubMed Lopez PF, Sippy BD, Lambert HM, Thach AB, Hinton DR (1996) Transdifferentiated retinal pigment epithelial cells are immunoreactive for vascular endothelial growth factor in surgically excised age-related macular degeneration-related choroidal neovascular membranes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37:855–868PubMed
6.
go back to reference Frank RN, Amin RH, Eliott D, Puklin JE, Abrams GW (1996) Basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor are present in epiretinal and choroidal neovascular membranes. Am J Ophthalmol 122:393–403PubMedCrossRef Frank RN, Amin RH, Eliott D, Puklin JE, Abrams GW (1996) Basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor are present in epiretinal and choroidal neovascular membranes. Am J Ophthalmol 122:393–403PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Kvanta A, Algvere PV, Berglin L, Seregard S (1996) Subfoveal fibrovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration express vascular endothelial growth factor. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37:1929–1934PubMed Kvanta A, Algvere PV, Berglin L, Seregard S (1996) Subfoveal fibrovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration express vascular endothelial growth factor. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37:1929–1934PubMed
8.
go back to reference Kliffen M, Sharma HS, Mooy CM, Kerkvliet S, de Jong PTVM (1997) Increased expression of angiogenic growth factors in age-related maculopathy. Br J Ophthalmol 81:154–162PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Kliffen M, Sharma HS, Mooy CM, Kerkvliet S, de Jong PTVM (1997) Increased expression of angiogenic growth factors in age-related maculopathy. Br J Ophthalmol 81:154–162PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
9.
go back to reference Otani A, Takagi H, Oh H, Koyama S, Ogura Y, Matumura M, Honda Y (2002) Vascular endothelial growth factor family and receptor expression in human choroidal neovascular membranes. Microvasc Res 64:162–169PubMedCrossRef Otani A, Takagi H, Oh H, Koyama S, Ogura Y, Matumura M, Honda Y (2002) Vascular endothelial growth factor family and receptor expression in human choroidal neovascular membranes. Microvasc Res 64:162–169PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Rakic JM, Lambert V, Devy L, Luttun A, Carmeliet P, Claes C, Nguyen L, Foidart JM, Noël A, Munaut C (2003) Placental growth factor, a member of the VEGF family, contributes to the development of choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44:3186–3193PubMedCrossRef Rakic JM, Lambert V, Devy L, Luttun A, Carmeliet P, Claes C, Nguyen L, Foidart JM, Noël A, Munaut C (2003) Placental growth factor, a member of the VEGF family, contributes to the development of choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44:3186–3193PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Rosenfeld PJ, Brown DM, Heier JS, Boyer DS, Kaiser PK, Chung CY, Kim RY, MARINA Study Group (2006) Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 355:1419–1431PubMedCrossRef Rosenfeld PJ, Brown DM, Heier JS, Boyer DS, Kaiser PK, Chung CY, Kim RY, MARINA Study Group (2006) Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 355:1419–1431PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Brown DM, Kaiser PK, Michels M, Soubrane G, Heier JS, Kim RY, Sy JP, Schneider S, ANCHOR Study Group (2006) Ranibizumab versus verteporfin for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 355:1432–1444PubMedCrossRef Brown DM, Kaiser PK, Michels M, Soubrane G, Heier JS, Kim RY, Sy JP, Schneider S, ANCHOR Study Group (2006) Ranibizumab versus verteporfin for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med 355:1432–1444PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Tano Y, Ohji M, EXTEND-I Study Group (2010) EXTEND-I: safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in Japanese patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmologoca 88:309–316CrossRef Tano Y, Ohji M, EXTEND-I Study Group (2010) EXTEND-I: safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in Japanese patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmologoca 88:309–316CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Regillo CD, Brown DM, Abraham P, Yue H, Ianchulev T, Schneider S, Shams N, PIER Study Group (2008) Randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled trial of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: PIER Study year 1. Am J Ophthalmol 145:239–248PubMedCrossRef Regillo CD, Brown DM, Abraham P, Yue H, Ianchulev T, Schneider S, Shams N, PIER Study Group (2008) Randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled trial of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: PIER Study year 1. Am J Ophthalmol 145:239–248PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Schmidt-Erfurth U, Eldem B, Guymer R, Korobelnik JF, Schlingemann RO, Axer-Siegel R, Wiedemann P, Simader C, Gekkieva M, Weichselberger A, EXCITE Study Group (2011) Efficacy and safety of monthly versus quarterly ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the EXCITE study. Ophthalmology 118:831–839PubMedCrossRef Schmidt-Erfurth U, Eldem B, Guymer R, Korobelnik JF, Schlingemann RO, Axer-Siegel R, Wiedemann P, Simader C, Gekkieva M, Weichselberger A, EXCITE Study Group (2011) Efficacy and safety of monthly versus quarterly ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the EXCITE study. Ophthalmology 118:831–839PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Boyer DS, Heier JS, Brown DM, Francom SF, Ianchulev T, Rubio RG (2009) A phase IIIb study to evaluate the safety of ranibizumab in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 116:1731–1739PubMedCrossRef Boyer DS, Heier JS, Brown DM, Francom SF, Ianchulev T, Rubio RG (2009) A phase IIIb study to evaluate the safety of ranibizumab in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 116:1731–1739PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Holz FG, Amoaku W, Donate J, Guymer RH, Kellner U, Schlingemann RO, Weichselberger A, Staurenghi G, SUSTAIN Study Group (2011) Safety and efficacy of a flexible dosing regimen of ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the SUSTAIN study. Ophthalmology 118:663–671PubMedCrossRef Holz FG, Amoaku W, Donate J, Guymer RH, Kellner U, Schlingemann RO, Weichselberger A, Staurenghi G, SUSTAIN Study Group (2011) Safety and efficacy of a flexible dosing regimen of ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the SUSTAIN study. Ophthalmology 118:663–671PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Larsen ML, Schmidt-Erfurth U, Lanzetta P, Wolf S, Simader C, Tokaji E, Pilz S, Weisberger A, Study Group MONTBLANC (2012) Verteporfin plus ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Twelve-month MONT BLANC study results. Ophthalmology 119:992–1000PubMedCrossRef Larsen ML, Schmidt-Erfurth U, Lanzetta P, Wolf S, Simader C, Tokaji E, Pilz S, Weisberger A, Study Group MONTBLANC (2012) Verteporfin plus ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Twelve-month MONT BLANC study results. Ophthalmology 119:992–1000PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference The CATT Research Group (2011) Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 364:1897–1908 The CATT Research Group (2011) Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 364:1897–1908
20.
go back to reference Busbee BG, Ho A, Brown DM, Heier JS, Suner IJ, Li Z, Rubio RG, Lai P, HARBOR Study Group (2013) Twelve-month efficacy and safety of 0.5 mg or 2.0 mg ranibizumab in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 120:1046–1056PubMedCrossRef Busbee BG, Ho A, Brown DM, Heier JS, Suner IJ, Li Z, Rubio RG, Lai P, HARBOR Study Group (2013) Twelve-month efficacy and safety of 0.5 mg or 2.0 mg ranibizumab in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 120:1046–1056PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Holash J, Davis S, Papadopoulos N, Croll SD, Ho L, Russell M, Boland P, Leidich R, Hylton D, Burova E, Ioffe E, Huang T, Radziejewski C, Bailey K, Fandl JP, Daly T, Wiegrand SJ, Yancopoulos GD, Rudge JS (2002) VEGF-Trap: a VEGF blocker with potent antitumor effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:11393–11398PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Holash J, Davis S, Papadopoulos N, Croll SD, Ho L, Russell M, Boland P, Leidich R, Hylton D, Burova E, Ioffe E, Huang T, Radziejewski C, Bailey K, Fandl JP, Daly T, Wiegrand SJ, Yancopoulos GD, Rudge JS (2002) VEGF-Trap: a VEGF blocker with potent antitumor effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:11393–11398PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Heier JS, Brown DM, Chong V, Korobelnik JF, Kaiser PK, Nguyen QD, Kirchhof B, Ho A, Ogura Y, Yancopoulos GD, Stahl N, Vitti R, Berliner AJ, Soo Y, Anderesi M, Groetzbach G, Sommerauer B, Sandbrink R, Simader C, Schmidt-Erfurth U, VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 Study Groups (2012) Intravitreal aflibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye) in wet age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 119:2537–2548PubMedCrossRef Heier JS, Brown DM, Chong V, Korobelnik JF, Kaiser PK, Nguyen QD, Kirchhof B, Ho A, Ogura Y, Yancopoulos GD, Stahl N, Vitti R, Berliner AJ, Soo Y, Anderesi M, Groetzbach G, Sommerauer B, Sandbrink R, Simader C, Schmidt-Erfurth U, VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 Study Groups (2012) Intravitreal aflibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye) in wet age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 119:2537–2548PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Cohen SY, Maloberti B, Fajnkuchen F, Nghiem-Buffet S, Delahaye-Mazza C, Grenet T, Quentel G (2014) Bimonthly ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologica 231:80–85PubMedCrossRef Cohen SY, Maloberti B, Fajnkuchen F, Nghiem-Buffet S, Delahaye-Mazza C, Grenet T, Quentel G (2014) Bimonthly ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologica 231:80–85PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Droege KM, Muether PS, Hermann MM, Caramoy A, Viebahn U, Kirchhof B, Fauser S (2013) Adherence to ranibizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in real life. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251:1281–1284PubMedCrossRef Droege KM, Muether PS, Hermann MM, Caramoy A, Viebahn U, Kirchhof B, Fauser S (2013) Adherence to ranibizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in real life. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251:1281–1284PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Cohen SY, Mimoun G, Oubraham H, Zourdani A, Malbrel C, Queré S, Schneider V, LUMIERE Study Group (2013) Changes in visual acuity in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal ranibizumab in daily clinical practice. The LUMIERE Study. Retina 33:474–481PubMedCrossRef Cohen SY, Mimoun G, Oubraham H, Zourdani A, Malbrel C, Queré S, Schneider V, LUMIERE Study Group (2013) Changes in visual acuity in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal ranibizumab in daily clinical practice. The LUMIERE Study. Retina 33:474–481PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Muether PS, Hermann MM, Viebahn U, Kirchhof B, Fauser S (2012) Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with ranibizumab. Ophthalmology 119:2082–2086PubMedCrossRef Muether PS, Hermann MM, Viebahn U, Kirchhof B, Fauser S (2012) Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with ranibizumab. Ophthalmology 119:2082–2086PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Gaudreault J, Fei D, Rusit J, Suboc P, Shiu V (2005) Preclinical pharmacokinetics of ranibizumab (rhuFabV2) after a single intravitreal administration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 46:726–733PubMedCrossRef Gaudreault J, Fei D, Rusit J, Suboc P, Shiu V (2005) Preclinical pharmacokinetics of ranibizumab (rhuFabV2) after a single intravitreal administration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 46:726–733PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Bakri SJ, Snyder MR, Reid JM, Pulido JS, Ezzat MK, Singh RJ (2007) Pharmacokinetics of intravitreal ranibizumab. Ophthalmology 114:2179–2182PubMedCrossRef Bakri SJ, Snyder MR, Reid JM, Pulido JS, Ezzat MK, Singh RJ (2007) Pharmacokinetics of intravitreal ranibizumab. Ophthalmology 114:2179–2182PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Christoforidis JB, Williams MM, Kothandaraman S, Kumar K, Epitropoulos FJ, Knopp MV (2012) Pharmacokinetics properties of intravitreal I-124-aflibercept in a rabbit model using PET/CT. Curr Eye Res 37:1171–1174PubMedCrossRef Christoforidis JB, Williams MM, Kothandaraman S, Kumar K, Epitropoulos FJ, Knopp MV (2012) Pharmacokinetics properties of intravitreal I-124-aflibercept in a rabbit model using PET/CT. Curr Eye Res 37:1171–1174PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Wang X, Sawada T, Kakinoki M, Miyake T, Kawamura H, Saishin Y, Liu P, Ohji M (2013) Aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor and ranibizumab concentrations after monthly and bimonthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 07 November 2013. [Epub ahead of print] Wang X, Sawada T, Kakinoki M, Miyake T, Kawamura H, Saishin Y, Liu P, Ohji M (2013) Aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor and ranibizumab concentrations after monthly and bimonthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 07 November 2013. [Epub ahead of print]
Metadata
Title
Bimonthly injections of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration
Authors
Tomoko Sawada
Masashi Kakinoki
Xiying Wang
Hajime Kawamura
Yoshitsugu Saishin
Masahito Ohji
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2612-8

Other articles of this Issue 10/2014

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 10/2014 Go to the issue