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Kotani K, Ngako Kadji FM, Mandai Y, Hiraoka Y. Backflow reduction in local injection therapy with gelatin formulations. Drug Deliv 2024; 31:2329100. [PMID: 38515401 PMCID: PMC10962293 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2024.2329100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The local injection of therapeutic drugs, including cells, oncolytic viruses and nucleic acids, into different organs is an administrative route used to achieve high drug exposure at the site of action. However, after local injection, material backflow and side effect reactions can occur. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of gelatin on backflow reduction in local injection. Gelatin particles (GPs) and hydrolyzed gelatin (HG) were injected into tissue models, including versatile training tissue (VTT), versatile training tissue tumor-in type (VTT-T), and broiler chicken muscles (BCM), using needle gauges between 23 G and 33 G. The backflow material fluid was collected with filter paper, and the backflow fluid rate was determined. The backflow rate was significantly reduced with 35 μm GPs (p value < .0001) at different concentrations up to 5% and with 75 μm GPs (p value < .01) up to 2% in the tissue models. The reduction in backflow with HG of different molecular weights showed that lower-molecular-weight HG required a higher-concentration dose (5% to 30%) and that higher-molecular-weight HG required a lower-concentration dose (7% to 8%). The backflow rate was significantly reduced with the gelatin-based formulation, in regard to the injection volumes, which varied from 10 μL to 100 μL with VTT or VTT-T and from 10 μL to 200 μL with BCM. The 35 μm GPs were injectable with needles of small gauges, which included 33 G, and the 75 μm GPs and HG were injectable with 27 G needles. The backflow rate was dependent on an optimal viscosity of the gelatin solutions. An optimal concentration of GPs or HG can prevent material backflow in local injection, and further studies with active drugs are necessary to investigate the applicability in tumor and organ injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Kotani
- Department of Biomedical, R&D C-enter, Nitta Gelatin, Inc, Yao City, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Yoshinobu Mandai
- Department of Biomedical, R&D C-enter, Nitta Gelatin, Inc, Yao City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Hiraoka
- Department of Biomedical, R&D C-enter, Nitta Gelatin, Inc, Yao City, Osaka, Japan
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Sunaga T, Maeda M, Saulle R, Ng SM, Sato MT, Hasegawa T, Mason AN, Noma H, Ota E. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor biosimilars for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 6:CD015804. [PMID: 38829176 PMCID: PMC11146280 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015804.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and is a leading cause of vision loss and disability worldwide. Although intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is an effective treatment option that helps to prevent vision loss or to improve visual acuity in people with neovascular AMD, treatment imposes a significant financial burden on patients and healthcare systems. A biosimilar is a biological product that has been developed to be nearly identical to a previously approved biological product. The use of biosimilars may help reduce costs and so may increase patient access to effective biologic medicines with similar levels of safety to the drugs on which they are based. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of anti-VEGF biosimilar agents compared with their corresponding anti-VEGF agents (i.e. the reference products) that have obtained regulatory approval for intravitreal injections in people with neovascular AMD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases, and two trials registries together with reference checking and contact with study authors to identify studies that are included in the review. The latest search date was 2 June 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared approved anti-VEGF biosimilars with their reference products for treating the eyes of adult participants (≥ 50 years) who had an active primary or recurrent choroidal neovascularization lesion secondary to neovascular AMD. OUTCOMES Our outcomes were: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), vision-related quality of life, serious ocular and non-ocular adverse events (AE), treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), and serum concentrations of biosimilars and reference drugs. RISK OF BIAS We assessed the risk of bias (RoB) for seven outcomes reported in a summary of findings table by using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. SYNTHESIS METHODS We synthesized results for each outcome using meta-analysis, where possible, by calculating risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes and continuous outcomes, respectively. Where this was not possible due to the nature of the data, we summarized the results narratively. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for prespecified outcomes. INCLUDED STUDIES We included nine parallel-group multi-center RCTs that enrolled a total of 3814 participants (3814 participating eyes), with sample sizes that ranged from 160 to 705 participants per study. The mean age of the participants in these studies ranged from 67 to 76 years, and the proportion of women ranged from 26.5% to 58.7%. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) was the reference product in seven studies, and aflibercept (Eyelea) was the reference product in two others. All the included studies had been supported by industry. The follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 52 weeks (median 48 weeks). Five studies (56%) were conducted in multi-country settings across Europe, North America and Asia, two studies in India, and one each in Japan and the Republic of Korea. We judged all the included studies to have met high methodological standards. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS With regard to efficacy, our meta-analyses demonstrated that anti-VEGF biosimilars for neovascular AMD resulted in little to no difference compared with the reference products for BCVA change at 8 to 12 weeks (MD -0.55 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, 95% CI -1.17 to 0.07; 8 studies, 3603 participants; high-certainty evidence) and the proportion of participants who lost fewer than 15 letters in BCVA at 24 to 48 weeks (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.01; 7 studies, 2658 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Almost all participants (96.6% in the biosimilar group and 97.0% in the reference product group) lost fewer than 15 letters in BCVA. The evidence from two studies suggested that there was no evidence of difference between biosimilars and reference products in vision-related quality of life measured by the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) summary scores at 24 to 48 weeks (MD 0.82, 95% CI -0.70 to 2.35; 2 studies, 894 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). With regard to the safety profile, meta-analyses also revealed little to no difference between anti-VEGF biosimilars and the reference products for the proportion of participants who experienced serious ocular AEs (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.68 to 2.26; 7 studies, 3292 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and for TEAEs leading to investigational product discontinuation or death (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.46; 8 studies, 3497 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Overall, 1.4% of participants in the biosimilar group and 1.2% in the reference product group experienced serious ocular adverse events. The most frequently documented serious ocular AEs were retinal hemorrhage and endophthalmitis. Although the evidence is of low certainty due to imprecision, meta-analysis suggested that anti-VEGF biosimilars led to no difference compared with the reference products for cumulative incidence of ADAs (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.22; 8 studies, 3066 participants; low-certainty evidence) or mean maximum serum concentrations (MD 0.42 ng/mL, 95% CI -0.22 to 1.05; subgroup of 3 studies, 100 participants; low-certainty evidence). We judged the overall risk of bias to be low for all studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In our review, low to high certainty evidence suggests that there is little to no difference, to date, between the anti-VEGF biosimilars approved for treating neovascular AMD and their reference products in terms of benefits and harms. While anti-VEGF biosimilars may be a viable alternative to reference products, current evidence for their use is based on a limited number of studies - particularly for comparison with aflibercept - with sparse long-term safety data, and infrequent assessment of quality of life outcomes. Our effect estimates and conclusions may be modified once findings have been reported from studies that are currently ongoing, and studies of biosimilar agents that are currently in development. FUNDING Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Project is supported by grant UG1EY020522, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Takeshi Hasegawa and Hisashi Noma were supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant numbers: 22H03554, 19K03092, 24K06239). REGISTRATION Protocol available via doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015804.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomiko Sunaga
- Department of Hospital Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Maeda
- Division of Infection Control Sciences, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rosella Saulle
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - Sueko M Ng
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Miki Takenaka Sato
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Showa University , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hasegawa
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology (iCE), Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Hygiene, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Showa University Research Administration Center (SURAC), Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andrew N Mason
- Department of General Education, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisashi Noma
- Department of Data Science, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Erika Ota
- Global Health Nursing, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
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Berkowitz ST, Finn AP. Gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration: potential, feasibility, and pitfalls. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2024; 35:170-177. [PMID: 38441066 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000001043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The landscape for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is rapidly changing with addition of biosimilars and now United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nonneovascular AMD (nnAMD) treatment options. These developments have inspired a burgeoning pipeline of gene therapy approaches focused on similar antivascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and complement related pathways. Historic and more recent setbacks in the gene therapy pipeline, including intraocular inflammatory reactions, have raised important concerns for adverse events related to AMD therapeutics both for gene and nongene approaches. The specific clinical profile of these therapeutics approaching later stage clinical trials are complex and under active investigation; however, these options hold promise to disrupt the current landscape and change management paradigms for one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide. RECENT FINDINGS This review covers current gene therapy approaches for neovascular AMD (nAMD) and nnAMD. Intravitreal, suprachoroidal, and subretinal delivery routes are discussed with attention to technical procedure, capabilities for transgene delivery to target tissue, immunogenicity, and collateral effects. Suprachoroidal delivery is an emerging approach which may bridge some of the practical drawbacks for intravitreal and subretinal methods, though with less elaborated immunologic profile. In parallel to delivery modification, viral vectors have been cultivated to target specific cells, with promising enhancements in adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors and persistent interest in alternate viral and nonviral delivery vectors. Ongoing questions such as steroid or immunosuppressive regimen and economic considerations from a payer and societal perspective are discussed. SUMMARY The present review discusses emerging gene therapy options which could foster new, more durable nAMD and nnAMD therapeutics. These options will need refinement with regards to route, vector, and dosage, and specialists must decipher the specific clinical risk benefit profile for individual patients. Ongoing concerns for immunogenicity or dosage related adverse events could stifle progress, while further vector development and refined delivery techniques have the potential to change the safety and efficacy of currently options in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Berkowitz
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Chacin Ruiz EA, Swindle-Reilly KE, Ford Versypt AN. Experimental and mathematical approaches for drug delivery for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. J Control Release 2023; 363:464-483. [PMID: 37774953 PMCID: PMC10842193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Several chronic eye diseases affect the posterior segment of the eye. Among them age-related macular degeneration can cause vision loss if left untreated and is one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Most treatments are based on intravitreally injected therapeutics that inhibit the action of vascular endothelial growth factor. However, due to the need for monthly injections, this method is associated with poor patient compliance. To address this problem, numerous drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been developed. This review covers a selection of particulate systems, non-stimuli responsive hydrogels, implants, and composite systems that have been developed in the last few decades. Depending on the type of DDS, polymer material, and preparation method, different mechanical properties and drug release profiles can be achieved. Furthermore, DDS development can be optimized by implementing mathematical modeling of both drug release and pharmacokinetic aspects. Several existing mathematical models for diffusion-controlled, swelling-controlled, and erosion-controlled drug delivery from polymeric systems are summarized. Compartmental and physiologically based models for ocular drug transport and pharmacokinetics that have studied drug concentration profiles after intravitreal delivery or release from a DDS are also reviewed. The coupling of drug release models with ocular pharmacokinetic models can lead to obtaining much more efficient DDSs for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and other diseases of the posterior segment of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A Chacin Ruiz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Katelyn E Swindle-Reilly
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashlee N Ford Versypt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Ayhan MS, Faber H, Kühlewein L, Inhoffen W, Aliyeva G, Ziemssen F, Berens P. Multitask Learning for Activity Detection in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:12. [PMID: 37052912 PMCID: PMC10103736 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.4.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to provide a comparison of performance and explainability of a multitask convolutional deep neuronal network to single-task networks for activity detection in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods From 70 patients (46 women and 24 men) who attended the University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 3762 optical coherence tomography B-scans (right eye = 2011 and left eye = 1751) were acquired with Heidelberg Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany. B-scans were graded by a retina specialist and an ophthalmology resident, and then used to develop a multitask deep learning model to predict disease activity in neovascular age-related macular degeneration along with the presence of sub- and intraretinal fluid. We used performance metrics for comparison to single-task networks and visualized the deep neural network (DNN)-based decision with t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding and clinically validated saliency mapping techniques. Results The multitask model surpassed single-task networks in accuracy for activity detection (94.2% vs. 91.2%). The area under the curve of the receiver operating curve was 0.984 for the multitask model versus 0.974 for the single-task model. Furthermore, compared to single-task networks, visualizations via t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding and saliency maps highlighted that multitask networks' decisions for activity detection in neovascular age-related macular degeneration were highly consistent with the presence of both sub- and intraretinal fluid. Conclusions Multitask learning increases the performance of neuronal networks for predicting disease activity, while providing clinicians with an easily accessible decision control, which resembles human reasoning. Translational Relevance By improving nAMD activity detection performance and transparency of automated decisions, multitask DNNs can support the translation of machine learning research into clinical decision support systems for nAMD activity detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Seçkin Ayhan
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hanna Faber
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- University Eye Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Kühlewein
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- University Eye Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Werner Inhoffen
- University Eye Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gulnar Aliyeva
- University Eye Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Focke Ziemssen
- University Eye Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- University Eye Clinic, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Tübingen AI Center, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Current and Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111629. [PMID: 36358978 PMCID: PMC9688017 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly population. An advanced form of AMD known as neovascular AMD (nAMD) is implicated as the main attributor of visual loss among these patients. The hallmark feature of nAMD is the presence of neovascular structures known as choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVs), along with fluid exudation, hemorrhages, and subretinal fibrosis. These pathological changes eventually result in anatomical and visual loss. A type of proangiogenic factor known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been known to mediate the pathological process behind nAMD. Therefore, therapy has transitioned over the years from laser therapy that ablates the lesions to using Anti-VEGF to target the pathology directly. In this work, we provide an overview of current and emerging therapies for the treatment of nAMD. Currently approved Anti-VEGF agents include ranibizumab, aflibercept, and brolucizumab. Bevacizumab, also an Anti-VEGF agent, is used to manage nAMD even though this is an off-label use. While Anti-VEGF agents have provided a favorable prognosis for nAMD, they are associated with a substantial financial burden for patients and the healthcare system, due to their high cost as well as the need for frequent repeat treatments and visits. Emerging therapies and studies aim to extend the intervals between required treatments and introduce new treatment modalities that would improve patients’ compliance and provide superior results.
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Liisborg C. Age-related macular degeneration and myeloproliferative neoplasms - A common pathway. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 100 Suppl 271:3-35. [PMID: 36200281 PMCID: PMC9828081 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
DANSK RESUMÉ (DANISH SUMMARY): Aldersrelateret makuladegeneration (AMD) er den hyppigste årsag til uopretteligt synstab og blindhed i højindkomstlande. Det er en progredierende nethindesygdom som gradvist fører til ødelaeggelse af de celler som er ansvarlige for vores centralsyn. De tidlige stadier er ofte asymptomatiske, imens senstadie AMD, som opdeles i to former, neovaskulaer AMD (nAMD) og geografisk atrofi (GA), begge udviser gradvist synstab, dog generelt med forskellig hastighed. Tidlig AMD er karakteriseret ved tilstedevaerelsen af druser og pigmentforandringer i nethinden mens nAMD og GA udviser henholdsvis karnydannelse i og atrofi af nethinden. AEtiologien er multifaktoriel og udover alder omfatter patogenesen miljø- og genetiske risikofaktorer. Forskning har specielt fokuseret på lokale forandringer i øjet hvor man har fundet at inflammation spiller en betydelig rolle for udviklingen af sygdommen, men flere studier tyder også på at systemiske forandringer og specielt systemisk inflammation spiller en vaesentlig rolle i patogenesen. De Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasier (MPNs) er en gruppe af haematologiske kraeftsygdomme med en erhvervet genetisk defekt i den tidlige pluripotente stamcelle som medfører en overproduktion af en eller flere af blodets modne celler. Sygdommene er fundet at udvikle sig i et biologisk kontinuum fra tidligt cancerstadie, essentiel trombocytose (ET) over polycytaemi vera (PV) og endelig til det sene myelofibrose stadie (PMF). Symptomer hos disse patienter skyldes isaer den aendrede sammensaetning af blodet, hyperviskositet, kompromitteret mikrocirkulation og nedsat vaevsgennemblødning. Den øgede morbiditet og mortalitet beror i høj grad på tromboembolier, blødninger og leukemisk transformation. En raekke mutationer som driver MPN sygdommene er identificeret, bl.a. JAK2V617F-mutationen som medfører en deregulering JAK/STAT signalvejen, der bl.a. har betydning for cellers vaekst og overlevelse. Et tidligere stort registerstudie har vist at patienter med MPNs har en øget risiko for neovaskulaer AMD og et pilotstudie har vist øget forekomst af intermediaer AMD. Dette ønsker vi at undersøge naermere i et større studie i dette Ph.d.- projekt. Flere studier har også vist at kronisk inflammation spiller en vigtig rolle for både initiering og udvikling af den maligne celleklon hos MPNs og herfra er en "Human Inflammationsmodel" blevet udviklet. Siden er MPN sygdommene blevet anvendt som "model sygdomme" for en tilsvarende inflammationsmodel for udvikling af Alzheimers sygdom. I dette Ph.d.-projekt vil vi tilsvarende forsøge at undersøge systemisk inflammation i forhold til forekomst af druser. Det vil vi gøre ved at sammenligne systemiske immunologiske markører som tidligere er undersøgt hos patienter med AMD og sammenligne med MPN. Specielt er vi interesseret i systemiske immunologiske forskelle på patienter med MPN og druser (MPNd) og MPN med normale nethinder (MPNn). Denne afhandling består af to overordnede studier. I Studie I, undersøgte vi forekomsten af retinale forandringer associeret med AMD hos 200 patienter med MPN (artikel I). Studie II, omhandlede immunologiske ligheder ved AMD og MPN, og var opdelt i yderligere tre delstudier hvor vi undersøgte hhv. systemiske markører for inflammation, aldring og angiogenese (artikel II, III og IV). Vi undersøgte markørerne i fire typer af patienter: nAMD, intermediaer AMD (iAMD), MPNd og MPNn. Undersøgelsen af forskelle mellem MPNd og MPNn, vil gøre det muligt at identificere forandringer i immunsystemet som kunne vaere relevante for AMD-patogenesen. Vi vil endvidere sammenholde resultaterne for patienter med MPN med patienter som har iAMD og nAMD. I studie I (Artikel I) fandt vi at patienter med MPN har en signifikant højere praevalens af store druser og AMD tidligere i livet sammenlignet med estimater fra tre store befolkningsundersøgelser. Vi fandt også at forekomst af druser var associeret med højere neutrofil-lymfocyt ratio, hvilket indikerer et højere niveau af kronisk inflammation i patienterne med druser sammenlignet med dem uden druser. I studie II (Artikel II, III og IV) fandt vi flere immunologiske forskelle mellem patienter med MPNd og MPNn. Da vi undersøgte markører for inflammation, fandt vi en højere grad af systemisk inflammation i MPNd end MPNn. Dette blev vist ved en højere inflammationsscore (udregnet på baggrund af niveauer af pro-inflammatoriske markører), en højere neutrofil-lymfocyt ratio, samt indikationer på et dereguleret komplementsystem. Ved undersøgelse af aldringsmarkører fandt vi tegn på accelereret immunaldring hos MPNd i forhold til MPNn, hvilket kommer til udtryk ved en større procentdel af "effector memory T celler". Endelig fandt vi en vaesentlig lavere ekspression af CXCR3 på T celler og monocytter hos patienter med nAMD sammenlignet med iAMD, MPNd og MPNn. Dette er i overensstemmelse med tidligere studier hvor CXCR3 ekspression er fundet lavere end hos raske kontroller. Derudover fandt vi en faldende CXCR3 ekspression på monocytter over det biologiske MPN-kontinuum. Disse studier indikerer en involvering af CXCR3 i både nAMD og PMF, begge sygdomsstadier som er karakteriseret ved angiogenese og fibrose. Ud fra resultaterne af denne afhandling kan vi konkludere at forekomsten af druser og AMD hos MPN er øget i forhold til baggrundsbefolkningen. Endvidere viser vores resultater at systemisk inflammation muligvis spiller en vaesentlig større rolle i udviklingen af AMD end tidligere antaget. Vi foreslår derfor en AMD-model (Figur 18) hvor inflammation kan initiere og accelerere den normale aldersafhaengige akkumulation af affaldsstoffer i nethinden, som senere udvikler sig til druser, medførende øget lokal inflammation og med tiden tidlig og intermediaer AMD. Dette resulterer i den øgede risiko for udvikling til de invaliderende senstadier af AMD. ENGLISH SUMMARY: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness in high-income countries. It is a progressive retinal disease leading to damage of the cells responsible for central vision. The early stages of the disease are often asymptomatic, while late-stage AMD, which is divided into two entities, neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy (GA), both show vision loss, though generally with different progression rates. Drusen and pigmentary abnormalities in the retina characterise early AMD, while nAMD and GA show angiogenesis in and atrophy of the retina, respectively. The aetiology is multifactorial and, in addition to ageing, which is the most significant risk factor for developing AMD, environmental- and genetic risk factors are implicated in the pathogenesis. Research has focused on local changes in the eye where inflammation has been found to play an essential role, but studies also point to systemic alterations and especially systemic inflammation to be involved in the pathogenesis. The Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of haematological cancers with an acquired genetic defect of the pluripotent haematopoietic stem cell, characterised by excess haematopoiesis of the myeloid cell lineage. The diseases have been found to evolve in a biological continuum from early cancer state, essential thrombocythemia, over polycythaemia vera (PV), to the advanced myelofibrosis stage (PMF). The symptoms in these patients are often a result of the changes in the blood composition, hyperviscosity, microvascular disturbances, and reduced tissue perfusion. The major causes of morbidity and mortality are thromboembolic- and haemorrhagic events, and leukemic transformation. A group of mutations that drive the MPNs has been identified, e.g., the JAK2V617F mutation, which results in deregulation of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway important, for instance, in cell differentiation and survival. A previous large register study has shown that patients with MPNs have an increased risk of neovascular AMD, and a pilot study has shown an increased prevalence of intermediate AMD. We wish to study this further in a larger scale study. Several studies have also shown that systemic inflammation plays an essential role in both the initiation and progression of the malignant cell clone in MPNs. From this knowledge, a "Human inflammation model" has been developed. Since then, the MPNs has been used as model diseases for a similar inflammation model for the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this PhD project, we would like to investigate systemic inflammation in relation to drusen presence. We will do this by comparing systemic immunological markers previously investigated in patients with AMD and compare with MPN. We are primarily interested in systemic immunological differences between patients with MPN and drusen (MPNd) and MPN with normal retinas (MPNn). This thesis consists of two main studies. Study I investigated the prevalence of retinal changes associated with AMD and the prevalence of different AMD stages in 200 patients with MPN (paper I). Study II examined immunological similarities between AMD and MPNs. This study was divided into three substudies exploring systemic markers of inflammation, ageing and angiogenesis, respectively. This was done in four types of patients: nAMD, intermediate AMD (iAMD), MPNd and MPNn. Investigating, differences between MPNd and MPNn, will make it possible to identify changes in the immune system, relevant for AMD pathogenesis. Additionally, we will compare patients with MPNs with patients with iAMD and nAMD. In study I (Paper I), we found that patients with MPNs have a significantly higher prevalence of large drusen and consequently AMD from an earlier age compared to the estimates from three large population-based studies. We also found that drusen prevalence was associated with a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio indicating a higher level of chronic low-grade inflammation in patients with drusen compared to those without drusen. In study II (papers II, III and IV), we found immunological differences between patients with MPNd and MPNn. When we investigated markers of inflammation, we found a higher level of systemic inflammation in MPNd than MPNn. This was indicated by a higher inflammation score (based on levels of pro-inflammatory markers), a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and indications of a deregulated complement system. When examining markers of ageing, we found signs of accelerated immune ageing in MPNd compared to MPNn, shown by more senescent effector memory T cells. Finally, when exploring a marker of angiogenesis, we found a lower CXCR3 expression on monocytes and T cells in nAMD compared to iAMD, MPNd and MPNn, in line with previous studies of nAMD compared to healthy controls. Further, we found decreasing CXCR3 expression over the MPN biological continuum. These studies indicate CXCR3 involvement in both nAMD and PMF, two disease stages characterised by angiogenesis and fibrosis. From the results of this PhD project, we can conclude that the prevalence of drusen and AMD is increased in patients with MPN compared to the general population. Further, our results show that systemic inflammation may play a far more essential role in AMD pathogenesis than previously anticipated. We, therefore, propose an AMD model (Figure 18) where inflammation can initiate and accelerate the normal age-dependent accumulation of debris in the retina, which later evolve into drusen, resulting in increased local inflammation, and over time early- and intermediate AMD. This results in the increased risk of developing the late debilitating stages of AMD.
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Coulibaly LM, Sacu S, Fuchs P, Bogunovic H, Faustmann G, Unterrainer C, Reiter GS, Schmidt-Erfurth U. Personalized treatment supported by automated quantitative fluid analysis in active neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)-a phase III, prospective, multicentre, randomized study: design and methods. Eye (Lond) 2022; 37:1464-1469. [PMID: 35790835 PMCID: PMC9255834 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) the exact amount of fluid and its location on optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been defined as crucial biomarkers for disease activity and therapeutic decisions. Yet in the absence of quantitative evaluation tools, real-world care outcomes are disappointing. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a practical option for clinicians to enhance point-of-care management by analysing OCT volumes in a short time. In this protocol we present the prospective implementation of an AI-algorithm providing automated real-time fluid quantifications in a clinical real-world setting. METHODS This is a prospective, multicentre, randomized (1:1) and double masked phase III clinical trial. Two-hundred-ninety patients with active nAMD will be randomized between a study arm using AI-supported fluid quantifications and another arm using conventional qualitative assessments, i.e. state-of-the-art disease management. The primary outcome is defined as the mean number of injections over 1 year. Change in BCVA is defined as a secondary outcome. DISCUSSION Automated measurement of fluid volumes in all retinal compartments such as intraretinal fluid (IRF), and subretinal fluid (SRF) will serve as an objective tool for clinical investigators on which to base retreatment decisions. Compared to qualitative fluid assessment, retreatment decisions will be plausible and less prone to error or large variability. The underlying hypothesis is that fluid should be treated, while residual persistent or stable amounts of fluid may not benefit from further therapy. Reducing injection numbers without diminishing the visual benefit will increase overall patient safety and relieve the burden for healthcare providers. TRIAL-REGISTRATION EudraCT-Number: 2019-003133-42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard M Coulibaly
- Vienna Clinical Trial Centre (VTC), Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Sacu
- Vienna Clinical Trial Centre (VTC), Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Fuchs
- Vienna Clinical Trial Centre (VTC), Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hrvoje Bogunovic
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Faustmann
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gregor S Reiter
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
- Vienna Clinical Trial Centre (VTC), Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Im S, Han JW, Park EJ, Bang JH, Shin HJ, Chang HS, Woo KM, Park WJ, Park TK. Suppression of choroidal neovascularization and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in retinal pigmented epithelium by adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of CCN5 in mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269937. [PMID: 35696413 PMCID: PMC9191714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a defining characteristic feature of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) that frequently results in irreversible vision loss. The current strategies for the treatment of nAMD are mainly based on neutralizing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, anti-VEGF therapies are often associated with subretinal fibrosis that eventually leads to damages in macula. In this study, we tested whether an anti-fibrotic and anti-angiogenic protein CCN5 can potentially be an effective and safe therapeutic modality in a mouse model of CNV. Laser photocoagulation was utilized to induce CNV, which was followed by intravitreal injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 encoding CCN5 (rAAV2-CCN5). Our data demonstrated that rAAV2-CCN5, but not a control viral vector, rAAV2-VLP, prominently attenuated both CNV lesions and angiogenesis. Aflibercept, which was utilized as a positive control, exhibited similar effects on CNV lesions and angiogenesis in our experimental settings. Upon laser photocoagulation, retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells underwent significant morphological changes including cellular enlargement and loss of hexagonality. rAAV2-CCN5 significantly normalized these morphological defects. Laser photocoagulation also led to fibrotic deformation in RPE cells through inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was completely blocked by rAAV2-CCN5. In a striking contrast, aflibercept as well as rAAV2-VLP failed to exhibit any effects on EMT. Collectively, this study suggest that CCN5 might provide a potential novel strategy for the treatment of nAMD with a capability to inhibit CNV and fibrosis simaultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sora Im
- College of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jung Woo Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Euy Jun Park
- College of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ji Hong Bang
- Department of Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang Graduate School, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Shin
- Department of Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang Graduate School, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Hun Soo Chang
- Department of Anatomy and BK21 Four Project, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Kee Min Woo
- Olives Biotherapeutics, Inc., Gwangju, Korea
| | - Woo Jin Park
- College of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
- Olives Biotherapeutics, Inc., Gwangju, Korea
| | - Tae Kwann Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
- Department of Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang Graduate School, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
- Laboratory for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Bucheon, Korea
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10
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Marques AP, Ramke J, Cairns J, Butt T, Zhang JH, Jones I, Jovic M, Nandakumar A, Faal H, Taylor H, Bastawrous A, Braithwaite T, Resnikoff S, Khaw PT, Bourne R, Gordon I, Frick K, Burton MJ. The economics of vision impairment and its leading causes: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 46:101354. [PMID: 35340626 PMCID: PMC8943414 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Vision impairment (VI) can have wide ranging economic impact on individuals, households, and health systems. The aim of this systematic review was to describe and summarise the costs associated with VI and its major causes. We searched MEDLINE (16 November 2019), National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and the Health Technology Assessment database (12 December 2019) for partial or full economic evaluation studies, published between 1 January 2000 and the search dates, reporting cost data for participants with VI due to an unspecified cause or one of the seven leading causes globally: cataract, uncorrected refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal opacity, trachoma. The search was repeated on 20 January 2022 to identify studies published since our initial search. Included studies were quality appraised using the British Medical Journal Checklist for economic submissions adapted for cost of illness studies. Results were synthesized in a structured narrative. Of the 138 included studies, 38 reported cost estimates for VI due to an unspecified cause and 100 reported costs for one of the leading causes. These 138 studies provided 155 regional cost estimates. Fourteen studies reported global data; 103/155 (66%) regional estimates were from high-income countries. Costs were most commonly reported using a societal (n = 48) or healthcare system perspective (n = 25). Most studies included only a limited number of cost components. Large variations in methodology and reporting across studies meant cost estimates varied considerably. The average quality assessment score was 78% (range 35-100%); the most common weaknesses were the lack of sensitivity analysis and insufficient disaggregation of costs. There was substantial variation across studies in average treatment costs per patient for most conditions, including refractive error correction (range $12-$201 ppp), cataract surgery (range $54-$3654 ppp), glaucoma (range $351-$1354 ppp) and AMD (range $2209-$7524 ppp). Future cost estimates of the economic burden of VI and its major causes will be improved by the development and adoption of a reference case for eye health. This could then be used in regular studies, particularly in countries with data gaps, including low- and middle-income countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Oceania, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.
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Key Words
- AMD, Age- related macular degeneration
- DALYs, Disability Adjusted Life Years
- DR, Diabetic Retinopathy
- EU, European
- GBD, Global Burden of Disease
- Health economics
- ICD 11, International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death 11th revision
- LMICs, Low Middle Income Countries
- MSVI, Moderate and Severe Vision Impairment
- NR, Not reported
- Ophthalmology
- PPP, Purchasing power parity
- Public health
- QALYs, Quality Adjusted Life Years
- RE, Refractive Error
- Systematic review
- USD, United States Dollars ($)
- VI, Vision Impairment
- WHO, World Health Organization
- anti-VEGF, antivascular endothelial growth factor
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Patricia Marques
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Ramke
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John Cairns
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Butt
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Justine H. Zhang
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Jones
- Sightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Allyala Nandakumar
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Hannah Faal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
- Africa Vision Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Hugh Taylor
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Bastawrous
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Tasanee Braithwaite
- The Medical Eye Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- School of Immunology and Microbiology and School of Life Course Sciences, Kings College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serge Resnikoff
- Brien Holden Vision Institute and SOVS, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peng T. Khaw
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rupert Bourne
- Vision and Eye Research Institute, School of Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Iris Gordon
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Frick
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
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Bruch's-Mimetic Nanofibrous Membranes Functionalized with the Integrin-Binding Peptides as a Promising Approach for Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Transplantation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27041429. [PMID: 35209218 PMCID: PMC8874486 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to develop an ultrathin nanofibrous membrane able to, firstly, mimic the natural fibrous architecture of human Bruch’s membrane (BM) and, secondly, promote survival of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells after surface functionalization of fibrous membranes. Methods: Integrin-binding peptides (IBPs) that specifically interact with appropriate adhesion receptors on RPEs were immobilized on Bruch’s-mimetic membranes to promote coverage of RPEs. Surface morphologies, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, contact angle analysis, Alamar Blue assay, live/dead assay, immunofluorescence staining, and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the outcome. Results: Results showed that coated membranes maintained the original morphology of nanofibers. After coating with IBPs, the water contact angle of the membrane surfaces varied from 92.38 ± 0.67 degrees to 20.16 ± 0.81 degrees. RPE cells seeded on IBP-coated membranes showed the highest viability at all time points (Day 1, p < 0.05; Day 3, p < 0.01; Days 7 and 14, p < 0.001). The proliferation rate of RPE cells on uncoated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) membranes was significantly lower than that of IBP-coated membranes (p < 0.001). SEM images showed a well-organized hexa/polygonal monolayer of RPE cells on IBP-coated membranes. RPE cells proliferated rapidly, contacted, and became confluent. RPE cells formed a tight adhesion with nanofibers under high-magnification SEM. Our findings confirmed that the IBP-coated PCL membrane improved the attachment, proliferation, and viability of RPE cells. In addition, in this study, we used serum-free culture for RPE cells and short IBPs without immunogenicity to prevent graft rejection and immunogenicity during transplantation. Conclusions: These results indicated that the biomimic BM-IBP-RPE nanofibrous graft might be a new, practicable approach to increase the success rate of RPE cell transplantation.
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12
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Wittenborn JS, Gu Q, Erdem E, Ahmed F, Zhang P, Saaddine J, Lundeen EA, Rein DB. The Prevalence of Diagnosis of Major Eye Diseases and their Associated Payments in the Medicare Fee-for-Service Program. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2021; 30:1-13. [PMID: 34530688 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2021.1968006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate the prevalence of diagnosis of major eye disorders and their associated payments, in total and per-person diagnosed, among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries in 2018. METHODS We analyzed 100% Medicare Part B FFS claims and Part D Events among beneficiaries continuously enrolled for 12 months in 2018 to calculate the proportion of beneficiaries with ≥1 claim indicating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy (DR), or glaucoma, and their associated payments, including Medicare and patient out-of-pocket. Eye disease and eye care services were identified using case definitions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vision & Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). Outcomes are reported by disease overall and by age group (0-39, 40-64, 65-84, 85+ years), sex, race/ethnicity, and U.S. state. RESULTS Among nearly 30 million Medicare Part B FFS beneficiaries in 2018, over 41% (12.4 million) had a claim containing a diagnosis of at least one of the four eye disorders; 33.7% with cataract, 13.3% with glaucoma, 9.2% with AMD and 3.2% with DR. Payments for eye care services and drugs associated with these four conditions were $10.1billion; $3.6 billion for cataract, $3.5 billion for AMD, $2.2 billion for glaucoma and $0.8 billion for DR. The average cost per beneficiary diagnosed was $816: $1,290 for AMD, $781 for DR, $543 for glaucoma, and $360 for cataract. CONCLUSIONS Major eye disorders are common among Medicare FFS beneficiaries and account for approximately 4.3% of Medicare Part B and 1% of Medicare Part D spending.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Wittenborn
- Public Health Analytics, NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Qian Gu
- Economic & Valuation Services, KPMG LLP, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Erkan Erdem
- Economic & Valuation Services, KPMG LLP, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Farah Ahmed
- Public Health Analytics, NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ping Zhang
- CDC, Division of Diabetes Translation, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - David B Rein
- Public Health Analytics, NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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Almony A, Keyloun KR, Shah-Manek B, Multani JK, McGuiness CB, Chen CC, Campbell JH. Clinical and economic burden of neovascular age-related macular degeneration by disease status: a US claims-based analysis. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2021; 27:1260-1272. [PMID: 34464210 PMCID: PMC10391196 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.27.9.1260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: New treatment alternatives have revolutionized the management of nAMD. However, there is limited evidence on the clinical and economic burden of nAMD in commercially insured US patients. OBJECTIVES: To examine the clinical and economic burden in patients with nAMD by disease status in the commercially insured US patient population and to identify drivers of nAMD-related costs. METHODS: Patients with at least 1 International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis for nAMD were identified from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database between April 2016 and August 2017 (index period). Patients had continuous enrollment for at least 6 months before and at least 12 months after the index date. Eye-level disease status was reported, along with intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment patterns. Health care resource utilization (HRU) (all-cause and nAMD-related) and direct health care costs were estimated over the 12 month follow-up period. Outcomes associated with falls and fractures were also assessed. Multivariate analysis identified drivers of annual nAMD-related outpatient costs among patients with anti-VEGF therapy. Incident patients (defined as those without an nAMD diagnosis 6 months prior to the index date) with at least 18 months of continuous enrollment after the index date were identified for a subset analysis to evaluate documented changes in disease status. RESULTS: A total of 6,076 patients with nAMD were identified for the prevalent cohort; 60.1%, 17.2%, and 5.9% had active CNV, inactive CNV, and inactive scar disease stage at index, respectively. The nAMD-related outpatient visit costs were roughly 4 and roughly 7 times higher, respectively, for the active CNV group ($8,658 [SD = $11,612]) compared with the inactive CNV ($2,406 [SD = $5,510]) and inactive scar ($1,198 [SD = $3,035]) groups (P < 0.0001). About 10% of prevalent patients had a fall/fracture claim over 12 months of follow-up. A total of 3,623 prevalent patients (59.6%) were eligible for the anti-VEGF treatment patterns analysis (mean [SD] duration of therapy = 7.7 [4.5] months; mean [SD] number of injections = 6.0 [3.7]). Qualified incident cases comprised 17.8% (n = 1,081) of the prevalent cohort. Approximately 20% of incident eyes with active CNV at baseline transitioned to inactive CNV. A total of 427 incident patients (39.5%) qualified for anti-VEGF treatment patterns analysis (mean [SD] duration of therapy = 6.2 [4.7] months, mean [SD] number of injections = 5.2 [3.5]). Significant drivers of total nAMD-related costs were the initial anti-VEGF agent and anti-VEGF injection frequency (P < 0.0001) in both prevalent and incident cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and economic burden of nAMD treatment is substantial to the US healthcare system, where economic burden is higher among those with active CNV. Appropriate treatment may increase the duration of inactive disease periods and preserve visual acuity while lowering costs. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by Allergan, an AbbVie Company. Allergan employees were involved in the study design, interpretation of data, writing of the manuscript, and the decision to submit for publication. Keyloun and Campbell are employees of Allergan. Multani, McGuiness, and Chen are employees of IQVIA, which received funding from Allergan for conducting the analysis. Almony and Shah-Manek have nothing to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katelyn R Keyloun
- Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Allergen, an AbbVie Company, Irvine, CA
| | - Bijal Shah-Manek
- Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Noesis Healthcare Technologies, Inc, Redwood City, CA
| | - Jasjit K Multani
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Real-World Evidence, IQVIA Inc, Falls Church, VA
| | - Catherine B McGuiness
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Real-World Evidence, IQVIA Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA
| | - Chi-Chang Chen
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Real-World Evidence, IQVIA Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA
| | - Joanna H Campbell
- Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Allergan, an AbbVie Company, Irvine, CA
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Self-sealing hyaluronic acid-coated 30-gauge intravitreal injection needles for preventing vitreous and drug reflux through needle passage. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16996. [PMID: 34417529 PMCID: PMC8379207 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96561-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-sealing hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated self-sealing 30-gauge needles exhibiting instant leakage prevention of intravitreal humor and injected drug were developed in this study. Ninety New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. We assessed dye regurgitation in intravitreal ICG dye injections using HA-coated needles (HA needle group) and conventional needles (control group). Vitreous humor levels of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were compared between groups one, three, and seven days after intravitreal bevacizumab (0.016 mL) injections. Expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor and vitreous humor, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-8, were compared between HA needle, control, and normal (in which intravitreal injection was not performed) groups following 12 intravitreal injections over a period of one week. In the HA needle group, HA remained at the injection site and blocked the hole after intravitreal injection. Dye regurgitation occurred significantly less frequently in the HA needle group (16.7%) than the control group (55.6%) after intravitreal ICG dye injection. Meanwhile, vitreous anti-VEGF levels were markedly higher in the HA needle group than the control group one and three days after intravitreal bevacizumab injections. After 12 intravitreal injections, expression levels of aqueous and vitreous IL-8 significantly increased in the control group compared to the HA needle and normal groups. Conversely, there were no significant differences in the expression of the other seven cytokines among the three groups. Intravitreal injections using HA-coated self-sealing 30-gauge needles can block the outflow of vitreous humor and drugs through the needle passage.
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Schmidt-Erfurth U, Reiter GS, Riedl S, Seeböck P, Vogl WD, Blodi BA, Domalpally A, Fawzi A, Jia Y, Sarraf D, Bogunović H. AI-based monitoring of retinal fluid in disease activity and under therapy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 86:100972. [PMID: 34166808 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinal fluid as the major biomarker in exudative macular disease is accurately visualized by high-resolution three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is used world-wide as a diagnostic gold standard largely replacing clinical examination. Artificial intelligence (AI) with its capability to objectively identify, localize and quantify fluid introduces fully automated tools into OCT imaging for personalized disease management. Deep learning performance has already proven superior to human experts, including physicians and certified readers, in terms of accuracy and speed. Reproducible measurement of retinal fluid relies on precise AI-based segmentation methods that assign a label to each OCT voxel denoting its fluid type such as intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) or pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and its location within the central 1-, 3- and 6-mm macular area. Such reliable analysis is most relevant to reflect differences in pathophysiological mechanisms and impacts on retinal function, and the dynamics of fluid resolution during therapy with different regimens and substances. Yet, an in-depth understanding of the mode of action of supervised and unsupervised learning, the functionality of a convolutional neural net (CNN) and various network architectures is needed. Greater insight regarding adequate methods for performance, validation assessment, and device- and scanning-pattern-dependent variations is necessary to empower ophthalmologists to become qualified AI users. Fluid/function correlation can lead to a better definition of valid fluid variables relevant for optimal outcomes on an individual and a population level. AI-based fluid analysis opens the way for precision medicine in real-world practice of the leading retinal diseases of modern times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gregor S Reiter
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sophie Riedl
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Philipp Seeböck
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolf-Dieter Vogl
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Barbara A Blodi
- Fundus Photograph Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Amitha Domalpally
- Fundus Photograph Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Amani Fawzi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Yali Jia
- Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - David Sarraf
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Hrvoje Bogunović
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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16
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Li JPO, Liu H, Ting DSJ, Jeon S, Chan RVP, Kim JE, Sim DA, Thomas PBM, Lin H, Chen Y, Sakomoto T, Loewenstein A, Lam DSC, Pasquale LR, Wong TY, Lam LA, Ting DSW. Digital technology, tele-medicine and artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: A global perspective. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 82:100900. [PMID: 32898686 PMCID: PMC7474840 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The simultaneous maturation of multiple digital and telecommunications technologies in 2020 has created an unprecedented opportunity for ophthalmology to adapt to new models of care using tele-health supported by digital innovations. These digital innovations include artificial intelligence (AI), 5th generation (5G) telecommunication networks and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating an inter-dependent ecosystem offering opportunities to develop new models of eye care addressing the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond. Ophthalmology has thrived in some of these areas partly due to its many image-based investigations. Tele-health and AI provide synchronous solutions to challenges facing ophthalmologists and healthcare providers worldwide. This article reviews how countries across the world have utilised these digital innovations to tackle diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, refractive error correction, cataract and other anterior segment disorders. The review summarises the digital strategies that countries are developing and discusses technologies that may increasingly enter the clinical workflow and processes of ophthalmologists. Furthermore as countries around the world have initiated a series of escalating containment and mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of eye care services globally has been significantly impacted. As ophthalmic services adapt and form a "new normal", the rapid adoption of some of telehealth and digital innovation during the pandemic is also discussed. Finally, challenges for validation and clinical implementation are considered, as well as recommendations on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Peng Olivia Li
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanruo Liu
- Beijing Tongren Hospital; Capital Medical University; Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology; Beijing, China
| | - Darren S J Ting
- Academic Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sohee Jeon
- Keye Eye Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Judy E Kim
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Dawn A Sim
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B M Thomas
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Haotian Lin
- Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youxin Chen
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Taiji Sakomoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
| | | | - Dennis S C Lam
- C-MER Dennis Lam Eye Center, C-Mer International Eye Care Group Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong; International Eye Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Louis R Pasquale
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Tien Y Wong
- Singapore National Eye Center, Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Linda A Lam
- USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel S W Ting
- Singapore National Eye Center, Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore.
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17
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Olson JL, Groman S, Velez-Montoya R. Bioceramic implant reduces intraocular VEGF levels. Exp Eye Res 2020; 200:108227. [PMID: 32898514 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Elevated intraocular levels of angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated the development of diabetic retinopathy. Over a decade of clinical evidence shows intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents is associated with decreased disease progression and preservation of vision. However, the treatment burden associated with monthly injections limits the effectiveness of existing anti-VEGF therapies. Current research has focused on sustained treatment paradigms such as longer acting drugs, drug delivery implants, and gene therapy. In this study, we tested a novel approach by dialyzing proteins from the vitreous using bioceramic implant composed of hydroxyapatite. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate a high affinity and capacity for VEGF absorption. After three months implantation in New Zealand White Cross rabbits, the hydroxyapatite demonstrated good biocompatibility with no inflammation and normal retinal physiology and histology. These studies demonstrate that prolonged VEGF suppression intraocularly may be accomplished with a bioceramic implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Olson
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Sergio Groman
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Raul Velez-Montoya
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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18
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Finger RP, Daien V, Eldem BM, Talks JS, Korobelnik JF, Mitchell P, Sakamoto T, Wong TY, Pantiri K, Carrasco J. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in neovascular age-related macular degeneration - a systematic review of the impact of anti-VEGF on patient outcomes and healthcare systems. BMC Ophthalmol 2020; 20:294. [PMID: 32680477 PMCID: PMC7368708 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-020-01554-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systematically review the evidence describing the impact of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. Methods A systematic literature review was completed using Medline and EMBASE for publications prior to July 2018, and proceedings from major ophthalmology conferences (January 2016 to July 2018). The search strategy combined terms for nAMD with terms for anti-VEGF and study design. The review focused on publications describing the impact of anti-VEGF on blindness, visual impairment, vision-related quality of life (VRQoL), mortality, and costs. The search targeted data collected in epidemiological or observational studies to reflect real-world outcomes but also considered modeling-based approaches. Results The use of anti-VEGF in clinical practice was associated with significant reduction in the incidence of blindness by nAMD. Population-based analyses reported reduction in incidence among the general population of 47% (9.1 cases/100,000 in 2006 to 4.8 cases/100,000 in 2011). Among patients aged ≥50 years, a reduction of 50% was observed (52.2 cases/100,000 in 2000 to 25.7 cases/100,000 in 2010). In some cases, the odds of decreased vision (defined as decline from normal to moderate, moderate to severe, or severe to blindness) fell by 41% following introduction of anti-VEGF. Patients’ VRQoL improved with treatment, with patients reporting a positive impact shortly after treatment was initiated. Change on National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire score from baseline to month 12 ranged from 0.7 to 4.4. Although nAMD patients report signs of depression and anxiety, the evidence suggests that there is no association between the use of anti-VEGF and the prevalence or diagnosis of depression. The introduction of anti-VEGF led to increased overall treatment costs due to replacement of existing less frequently administered treatments (e.g. photodynamic therapy) and increased number of patients treated (prior to anti-VEGF, only ~ 20% of patients were eligible for treatment). Conclusions The introduction of anti-VEGF agents has been associated with a positive impact on patient-relevant outcomes, including a significant reduction in incidence of blindness and visual impairment by nAMD. Anti-VEGF agents replaced less-effective treatments, improving patient outcomes and broadening the patient population eligible for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vincent Daien
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier, France.,The Save Sight Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bora M Eldem
- Faculty of Medicine, Ophthalmology Department, Hacettepe University Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey
| | - James S Talks
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jean-Francois Korobelnik
- CHU Bordeaux, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paul Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Taiji Sakamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.,Japan Clinical Retina Study Group (J-CREST Group), Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Joao Carrasco
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Peter Merian-Strasse 84, 4052, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Starr MR, Barkmeier AJ, Engman SJ, Kitzmann A, Bakri SJ. Telemedicine in the Management of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration within an Integrated health care System. Am J Ophthalmol 2019; 208:206-210. [PMID: 30905726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the outcomes of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) using a telemedicine system. DESIGN Interventional case series. METHODS This study examined all patients with exudative AMD who were receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections from September 1, 2015, through August 31, 2017, using electronic consultations at a single academic center and health system. Patients were managed initially by a retinal specialist and then allowed to receive further care with their local ophthalmologist. There were 200 electronic consultations placed during this time period for 83 eyes of 59 patients. Data collected included the retina specialist's recommendations: intravitreal agent, interval between injections, number of injections, and when the patient was to follow-up. All occurrences of recommendations that were not completed were reported. RESULTS The mean age of the patients at the time of electronic consultations was 82.3 ± 7.3 years with a mean follow-up time of 2.4 ± 0.81 years. The mean distance from the home of the patient to the retina specialist was 70 ± 44 miles. There were 14 consultations (7.1%) that did not comply with the recommendations of the retina specialist. Most of these were due to other medical comorbidities leading to missed appointments or scheduling errors. CONCLUSIONS In an integrated health care setting, 59 patients with exudative AMD were identified who were able to be effectively managed using a telemedicine system. In the appropriate setting, telemedicine may be able to assist in the management of patients with wet AMD.
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20
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Baek SK, Kim JH, Kim JW, Kim CG. Increase in the Population of Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Who Underwent Long-Term Active Treatment. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13264. [PMID: 31519960 PMCID: PMC6744448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49749-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate changes in the size of the population of patients who are receiving long-term, active treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This retrospective, observational study included 3,380 patients who received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (3,974 eyes). The injections performed were divided into the following three groups: group 1, injections performed right after the initial diagnosis; group 2, injections performed <24 months; and group 3, injection performed ≥24 months. Time-dependent changes in the proportion of injections in each group were analyzed. The total number of injections markedly increased from 431 in the 1st quarter of 2014 to 1,323 in the 4th quarter of 2018. There were significant changes in the proportion of injections in each group over time (P < 0.001). The proportions of group 1, group 2, and group 3 in the 1st quarter of 2014 were 17.4%, 65.4%, and 17.2%, respectively. The proportions changed to 10.6%, 50.2%, and 39.5% in the 4th quarter of 2018, respectively. The marked increase in the proportions of group 3 may suggest an increase in the patient population that underwent long-term active treatment. The socioeconomic influence of this trend should be considered when establishing future strategies for neovascular AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Kook Baek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jae Hui Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jong Woo Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chul Gu Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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21
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Focal retinal pigment epithelium atrophy at the location of type 3 neovascularization lesion: a morphologic feature associated with low reactivation rate and favorable prognosis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 257:1661-1669. [PMID: 31144056 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the clinical significance of focal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy in the eyes with type 3 neovascularization. METHODS This retrospective study included 184 eyes those were diagnosed with type 3 neovascularization and were treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Focal RPE atrophy was defined as a localized RPE atrophy found at the same location as the type 3 lesion. The incidence of reactivation after 3 loading injections and the visual outcomes was compared between a focal RPE atrophy group and a nonfocal RPE atrophy group. In the focal RPE atrophy group, the number of injections was compared between before and after the development of RPE atrophy. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 37.6 ± 18.8 months; focal RPE atrophy developed in 24 eyes (13.0%). Reactivation of the lesion after 3 loading injections was significantly less frequent in the focal RPE atrophy group (58.3%) than that in the nonfocal RPE atrophy group (85.0%) (P = 0.004). In the focal RPE atrophy group, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.68 ± 0.28 (Snellen equivalent = 20/95) at diagnosis and 0.70 ± 0.48 (20/100) at the final follow-up. In the nonfocal RPE atrophy group, the values were 0.75 ± 0.34 (20/112) and 1.12 ± 0.68 (20/263), respectively. The BCVA at the final follow-up was significantly better in the focal RPE atrophy group (P < 0.001). The mean number of injections per year was 4.9 ± 1.8 and 1.3 ± 1.6 before and after the development of focal RPE atrophy, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Development of focal RPE atrophy was associated with a low incidence of reactivation of type 3 neovascularization and was therefore predictive of a favorable visual prognosis.
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22
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Hatz K, Zimmermann F, Kardamakis D, Lazaridis E, Türksever C, Binder J, Papachristofilou A, Prünte C. Low-Energy Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Treatment of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Treat-and-Extend Regimen. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2019; 49:86-93. [PMID: 29443357 DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20180129-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-energy stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment following a treat-and-extend regimen (TER) in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Before/after SRT, the authors compared retrospective consecutive case series of 50 patients requiring frequent anti-VEGF treatment (every 4 or 6 weeks) in wet AMD, treated with a single session of SRT and TER (same manner pre/post-SRT). Outcomes were visual acuity (VA), recurrence-free interval, and central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS After SRT, CRT was reduced from baseline (407.3 μm ± 153.2 μm) to 12 months (320.2 μm ± 112.1 μm; P < .001), with statistical significance from month 2 onward. VA was stable for 12 months (64.0 letters ± 15.1 letters vs. 63.6 letters ± 16.2 letters). The mean recurrence-free interval increased from 4.24 weeks ± 0.66 weeks to 7.52 weeks ± 3.05 weeks at 12 months (P < .001). No severe side effects were observed. CONCLUSION Low-energy SRT, combined with anti-VEGF TER, was associated with reduced injection frequency and preserved VA during 12 months of follow-up. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:86-93.].
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23
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Maloca P, Hasler PW, Barthelmes D, Arnold P, Matthias M, Scholl HPN, Gerding H, Garweg J, Heeren T, Balaskas K, de Carvalho JER, Egan C, Tufail A, Zweifel SA. Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Sparse Optical Coherence Tomography Device for Patient-Delivered Retina Home Monitoring. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2018; 7:8. [PMID: 30050725 PMCID: PMC6058910 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.7.4.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To study a novel and fast optical coherence tomography (OCT) device for home-based monitoring in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a small sample yielding sparse OCT (spOCT) data and to compare the device to a commercially available reference device. Methods In this prospective study, both eyes of 31 participants with AMD were included. The subjects underwent scanning with an OCT prototype and a spectral-domain OCT to compare the accuracy of the central retinal thickness (CRT) measurements. Results Sixty-two eyes in 31 participants (21 females and 10 males) were included. The mean age was 79.6 years (age range, 69–92 years). The mean difference in the CRT measurements between the devices was 4.52 μm (SD ± 20.0 μm; range, −65.6 to 41.5 μm). The inter- and intrarater reliability coefficients of the OCT prototype were both >0.95. The laser power delivered was <0.54 mW for spOCT and <1.4 mW for SDOCT. No adverse events were reported, and the visual acuity before and after the measurements was stable. Conclusion This study demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this home-based OCT monitoring under real-life conditions, and it provided evidence for the potential clinical benefit of the device. Translational Relevance The newly developed spOCT is a valid and readily available retina scanner. It could be applied as a portable self-measuring OCT system. Its use may facilitate the sustainable monitoring of chronic retinal diseases by providing easily accessible and continuous retinal monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Maloca
- OCTlab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Department of Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Pascal W Hasler
- OCTlab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Department of Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Barthelmes
- University of Zurich, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patrik Arnold
- University of Applied Sciences Engineering and Information Technology, Institute for Human Centered Engineering OptoLab, Biel/Berne, Switzerland
| | - Mooser Matthias
- University of Applied Sciences Engineering and Information Technology, Institute for Human Centered Engineering OptoLab, Biel/Berne, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik P N Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Department of Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland.,Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heinrich Gerding
- Pallas Kliniken AG, Olten, Switzerland.,Augenklinik der Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Justus Garweg
- Berner Augenklinik am Lindenhofspital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tjebo Heeren
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Konstantinos Balaskas
- Moorfields Ophthalmic Reading Centre, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sandrine A Zweifel
- University of Zurich, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Parekh PK, Folk JC, Gupta P, Russell SR, Sohn EH, Abràmoff MD. Fluorescein Angiography Does Not Alter the Initial Clinical Management of Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Retina 2018; 2:659-666. [PMID: 31047374 PMCID: PMC7055156 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) is the standard modality to diagnose and manage choroidal neovascularization (CNV). However, FFA is costly and has considerable morbidity from allergic reactions and a mortality of 1 per 220 000. Since the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for CNV, OCT has been used extensively to manage CNV, but FFA is still widely used. One recent study found the sensitivity and specificity of OCT compared with FFA in diagnosis of CNV were 100% and 80.8%, respectively. We hypothesize that FFA does not affect the management of patients initially suspected of having CNV to a clinically significant degree. DESIGN Evaluation of diagnostic test using vignettes. PARTICIPANTS A total of 99 patients (99 eyes) who had an initial presentation of later confirmed CNV. METHODS We retrospectively extracted in de-identified form the FFA, OCT, and clinical histories of the subjects. Vignettes were created with a standard narrative clinical history, posterior-pole color fundus image, central B-scan OCT of the initial visit, and early, mid, and late FFA of the affected eye. Four masked retinal specialists reviewed, in randomized order, these vignettes without FFA images (FFA- arm) and answered a forced choice management question: observation, 3 consecutive anti-VEGF injections, or other. After re-randomization, experts again reviewed the vignettes with the addition of the FFA images (FFA+ arm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intraobserver and interobserver concordance and reliability statistics within and between specialists. RESULTS Among our retina specialists, intraobserver concordances were 89.7%, 88.7%, 88.7%, and 95.9% (average 90.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 83.7-97.6). The average interobserver concordance for the FFA- arm was 84.0% (95% CI, 72.6-95.4), and for the FFA+ arm, 81.8% (95% CI, 68.5-95.2); paired t testing demonstrated no significant difference between the FFA- and FFA+ arms: t = 0.6, P = 0.55. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a high degree of agreement in clinical decision making whether FFA was used or not. There was a similar level of agreement among specialists in the FFA- and FFA+ groups, albeit at higher, not statistically significant, variability. We believe these findings further support deferring the use of FFA in the initial management of CNV in AMD, except in treatment failures and nonstandard cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant K Parekh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - James C Folk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Priya Gupta
- The Surrey Eye Care Center, Surrey, British Columbia
| | - Stephen R Russell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Elliott H Sohn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Michael D Abràmoff
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
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25
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Pietraszkiewicz A, van Asten F, Kwong A, Ratnapriya R, Abecasis G, Swaroop A, Chew EY. Association of Rare Predicted Loss-of-Function Variants in Cellular Pathways with Sub-Phenotypes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology 2017; 125:398-406. [PMID: 29224928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the association of rare predicted loss-of-function (pLoF) variants within age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk loci and AMD sub-phenotypes. DESIGN Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS Participants of AREDS, AREDS2, and Michigan Genomics Initiative. METHODS Whole genome sequencing data were analyzed for rare pLoF variants (frequency <0.1%) in the regions of previously identified 52 independent risk variants known to be associated with AMD. Frequency of the rare pLoF variants in cases with intermediate or advanced AMD was compared with controls. Variants were assigned to the complement, extracellular matrix (ECM), lipid, cell survival, immune system, metabolism, or unknown/other pathway. Associations of rare pLoF variant pathways with AMD sub-phenotypes were analyzed using logistic and linear regression, and Cox proportional hazards models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Differences in rare pLoF variant pathway burden and association of rare pLoF variant pathways with sub-phenotypes within the population with AMD were evaluated. RESULTS Rare pLoF variants were found in 298 of 1689 cases (17.6%) and 237 of 1518 controls (15.6%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-1.36; P = 0.310). An enrichment of rare pLoF variants in the complement pathway in cases versus controls (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.49-5.79; P = 0.002) was observed. Within cases, associations between all rare pLoF variants and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04-1.73; P = 0.023), calcified drusen (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04-1.72; P = 0.025), higher scores on the AREDS Extended AMD Severity Scale (Standardized Coefficient Beta (β)=0.346 [0.086-0.605], P = 0.009), and progression to advanced disease (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55; P = 0.042) were observed. At the pathway level, there were associations between the complement pathway and geographic atrophy (GA) (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.12-4.24; P = 0.023), the complement pathway and calcified drusen (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.79-7.86; P < 0.001), and the ECM pathway and more severe levels in the AREDS Extended AMD Severity Scale (β = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.04-1.20; P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS Rare pLoF variants are associated with disease progression. Variants in the complement pathway modify the clinical course of AMD and increase the risk of developing specific sub-phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Pietraszkiewicz
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Freekje van Asten
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alan Kwong
- Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rinki Ratnapriya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Goncalo Abecasis
- Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emily Y Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Ratay ML, Bellotti E, Gottardi R, Little SR. Modern Therapeutic Approaches for Noninfectious Ocular Diseases Involving Inflammation. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6:10.1002/adhm.201700733. [PMID: 29034584 PMCID: PMC5915344 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dry eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, and uveitis are ocular diseases that significantly affect the quality of life of millions of people each year. In these diseases, the action of chemokines, proinflammatory cytokines, and immune cells drives a local inflammatory response that results in ocular tissue damage. Multiple therapeutic strategies are developed to either address the symptoms or abate the underlying cause of these diseases. Herein, the challenges to deliver drugs to the relevant location in the eye for each of these diseases are reviewed along with current and innovative therapeutic approaches that attempt to restore homeostasis within the ocular microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. Ratay
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 427 Benedum Hall 3700 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh, Pa 15261
| | - Elena Bellotti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 427 Benedum Hall 3700 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh, Pa 15261
| | - Riccardo Gottardi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ri.MED Foundation, 427 Benedum Hall 3700 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh, Pa 15261
| | - Steven R. Little
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Immunology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 940 Benedum Hall 3700 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh Pa 15261
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Wittenborn JS, Clemons T, Regillo C, Rayess N, Liffmann Kruger D, Rein D. Economic Evaluation of a Home-Based Age-Related Macular Degeneration Monitoring System. JAMA Ophthalmol 2017; 135:452-459. [PMID: 28358948 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Medicare recently approved coverage of home telemonitoring for early detection of incident choroidal neovascularization (CNV) among patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but no economic evaluation has yet assessed its cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact. Objectives To evaluate a home-based daily visual-field monitoring system using simulation methods and to apply the findings of the Home Monitoring of the Eye study to the US population at high risk for wet-form AMD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this economic analysis, an evaluation of the potential cost, cost-effectiveness, and government budgetary impact of adoption of a home-based daily visual-field monitoring system among eligible Medicare patients was performed. Effectiveness and visual outcomes data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Home Monitoring of the Eye study, treatment data from the Wills Eye Hospital Treat & Extend study, and AMD progression data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 1 were used to simulate the long-term effects of telemonitoring patients with CNV in one eye or large drusen and/or pigment abnormalities in both eyes. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis and an alternative scenario using the Treat & Extend study control group outcomes were used to examine uncertainty in these data and assumptions. Interventions Home telemonitoring of patients with AMD for early detection of CNV vs usual care. Main Outcomes and Measures Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, net present value of lifetime societal costs, and 10-year nominal government expenditures. Result Telemonitoring of patients with existing unilateral CNV or multiple bilateral risk factors for CNV (large drusen and retinal pigment abnormalities) incurs $907 (95% CI, -$6302 to $2809) in net lifetime societal costs, costs $1312 (95% CI, $222-$2848) per patient during 10 years from the federal government's perspective, and results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $35 663 (95% CI, cost savings to $235 613) per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Conclusions and Relevance Home telemonitoring of patients with AMD who are at risk for CNV was cost-effective compared with scheduled examinations alone. Monitoring patients with existing CNV in one eye is cost saving, but monitoring is generally not cost-effective among patients with low risk of CNV, including those with no or few risk factors. With Medicare coverage, monitoring incurs budgetary expenditures for the government but is cost-saving for patients at high risk of AMD. Monitoring could be cost saving to society if monitoring reduced the frequency of scheduled examinations or led to a reduction of one or more injections of ranibizumab.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - David Rein
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Vottonen P, Kaarniranta K, Pääkkönen A, Tarkka IM. Visual processing in patients with age-related macular degeneration performing a face detection test. Clin Ophthalmol 2017; 11:1245-1252. [PMID: 28740360 PMCID: PMC5505620 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s132583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE People with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have difficulties in familiar face recognition and facial expression discrimination. Our aim was to evaluate the visual processing of faces in AMD patients and whether this would be improved by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. This was a prospective interventional cohort study. PATIENTS Twelve patients with monocular wet AMD and 6 control subjects were recruited. Face detection processes were studied using cortical event-related potentials (ERPs). Patients received 3 bevacizumab intravitreal injections to the single affected eye. At baseline and 4-6 weeks after the last injection, clinical presentation and ERPs of the face task were evaluated. Face pictures were shown as targets (16.7%) among standard pictures of pixelated faces in an oddball-type paradigm. RESULTS Face pictures elicited well-defined electrical components in occipital and parieto-occipital cortical areas at baseline and after treatment. The face-specific N170 component was evident in all subjects with longer peak latency in patients than in controls (170±13 vs 155±14, P=0.032). Unexpectedly, an early component reflecting unintentional prediction of perceiving a face, that is, deviance-related negativity, was present in patients and controls. Visual acuity of the affected eye seemed improved in patients from logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.71 (±0.33) to 0.52 (±0.39) by 119 (±23) days without accompanying significant change in face-specific ERPs. CONCLUSIONS Monocular wet AMD distinctly influenced face-specific brain electrophysiological components. However, the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment did not improve the binocular face detection ability. The EudraCT number of this study is 2012-000765-20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasi Vottonen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ari Pääkkönen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ina M Tarkka
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Pilgrim MG, Lengyel I, Lanzirotti A, Newville M, Fearn S, Emri E, Knowles JC, Messinger JD, Read RW, Guidry C, Curcio CA. Subretinal Pigment Epithelial Deposition of Drusen Components Including Hydroxyapatite in a Primary Cell Culture Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:708-719. [PMID: 28146236 PMCID: PMC5295770 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-21060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Extracellular deposits containing hydroxyapatite, lipids, proteins, and trace metals that form between the basal lamina of the RPE and the inner collagenous layer of Bruch's membrane are hallmarks of early AMD. We examined whether cultured RPE cells could produce extracellular deposits containing all of these molecular components. Methods Retinal pigment epithelium cells isolated from freshly enucleated porcine eyes were cultured on Transwell membranes for up to 6 months. Deposit composition and structure were characterized using light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy; synchrotron x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence; secondary ion mass spectroscopy; and immunohistochemistry. Results Apparently functional primary RPE cells, when cultured on 10-μm-thick inserts with 0.4-μm-diameter pores, can produce sub-RPE deposits that contain hydroxyapatite, lipids, proteins, and trace elements, without outer segment supplementation, by 12 weeks. Conclusions The data suggest that sub-RPE deposit formation is initiated, and probably regulated, by the RPE, as well as the loss of permeability of the Bruch's membrane and choriocapillaris complex associated with age and early AMD. This cell culture model of early AMD lesions provides a novel system for testing new therapeutic interventions against sub-RPE deposit formation, an event occurring well in advance of the onset of vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Pilgrim
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom 2Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Imre Lengyel
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom 3Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Lanzirotti
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Matt Newville
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Sarah Fearn
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eszter Emri
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom 3Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan C Knowles
- Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey D Messinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Russell W Read
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Clyde Guidry
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Christine A Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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Adeno-Associated Viral Vector-Mediated mTOR Inhibition by Short Hairpin RNA Suppresses Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:26-35. [PMID: 28918027 PMCID: PMC5477068 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the defining characteristic feature of the wet subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and may result in irreversible blindness. Based on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), the current therapeutic approaches to CNV are fraught with difficulties, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has recently been proposed as a possible therapeutic target, although few studies have been conducted. Here, we show that a recombinant adeno-associated virus-delivered mTOR-inhibiting short hairpin RNA (rAAV-mTOR shRNA), which blocks the activity of both mTOR complex 1 and 2, represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of CNV. Eight-week-old male C57/B6 mice were treated with the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) after generating CNV lesions in the eyes via laser photocoagulation. The recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) delivery vehicle was able to effectively transduce cells in the inner retina, and significantly fewer inflammatory cells and less extensive CNV were observed in the animals treated with rAAV-mTOR shRNA when compared with control- and rAAV-scrambled shRNA-treated groups. Presumably related to the reduction of CNV, increased autophagy was detected in CNV lesions treated with rAAV-mTOR shRNA, whereas significantly fewer apoptotic cells detected in the outer nuclear layer around the CNV indicate that mTOR inhibition may also have neuroprotective effects. Taken together, these results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibition, resulting from rAAV-mTOR shRNA activity, in the treatment of AMD-related CNV.
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Constable IJ, Lai CM, Magno AL, French MA, Barone SB, Schwartz SD, Blumenkranz MS, Degli-Esposti MA, Rakoczy EP. Gene Therapy in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: Three-Year Follow-up of a Phase 1 Randomized Dose Escalation Trial. Am J Ophthalmol 2017; 177:150-158. [PMID: 28245970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the safety of rAAV.sFlt-1 subretinal injection in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) over 36 months. DESIGN Phase 1 dose escalation trial. METHODS Eight subjects with advanced, treatment-experienced wet AMD were randomly assigned (3:1) to treatment and non-gene therapy control groups. Eligible subjects were ≥65 years, had wet AMD, and had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 10/200 to 20/80 in the study eye and 20/200 or better in the other eye. Three of the treatment group subjects received low-dose (1 × 1010 vector genomes) and 3 high-dose (1 × 1011 vector genomes) rAAV.sFLT-1 via subretinal injection. Study monitoring was monthly to the primary endpoint at month 12 and then protocol-driven follow-up study visits were conducted at months 18 and 36. All subjects received intravitreal ranibizumab at baseline and at week 4, and retreatment injections at subsequent visits based on prespecified criteria for active wet AMD. The primary endpoint was ocular and systemic safety, but exploratory data including BCVA, retinal center point thickness, and the number of ranibizumab retreatments at and between study visits were also analyzed. RESULTS Six of the 8 subjects completed the 36-month study. Subretinal injection with pars plana vitrectomy was well tolerated in this cohort. No ocular or systemic safety signals were observed during the long-term follow-up period. Exploratory data analysis suggests stability of wet AMD over the 36-month period. CONCLUSIONS Subretinal delivery of rAAV.sFLT-1 was well tolerated and demonstrated a favourable safety profile through month 36. Thus, rAAV.sFLT-1 could be safely considered for future evaluation in the treatment of wet AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Constable
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Chooi-May Lai
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Aaron L Magno
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Martyn A French
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital and PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | - Mark S Blumenkranz
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Mariapia A Degli-Esposti
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth P Rakoczy
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.
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Berber P, Grassmann F, Kiel C, Weber BHF. An Eye on Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Role of MicroRNAs in Disease Pathology. Mol Diagn Ther 2017; 21:31-43. [PMID: 27658786 PMCID: PMC5250647 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-016-0234-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of blindness in developed countries, and is the third leading cause worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that beside environmental and genetic factors, epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNA (miRNA) regulation of gene expression, are relevant to AMD providing an exciting new avenue for research and therapy. MiRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs thought to be imperative for coping with cellular stress. Numerous studies have analyzed miRNA dysregulation in AMD patients, although with varying outcomes. Four studies which profiled dysregulated circulating miRNAs in AMD yielded unique sets, and there is only minimal overlap in ocular miRNA profiling of AMD. Mouse models of AMD, including oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, showed similarities to some extent with miRNA patterns in AMD. For example, miR-146a is an extensively researched miRNA thought to modulate inflammation, and was found to be upregulated in AMD mice and cellular systems, but also in human AMD retinae and vitreous humor. Similarly, mir-17, miR-125b and miR-155 were dysregulated in multiple AMD mouse models as well as in human AMD plasma or retinae. These miRNAs are thought to regulate angiogenesis, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and inflammation. A promising avenue of research is the modulation of such miRNAs, as the phenotype of AMD mice could be ameliorated with antagomirs or miRNA-mimic treatment. However, before meaningful strides can be made to develop miRNAs as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool, reproducible miRNA profiles need to be established for the various clinical outcomes of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Berber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Felix Grassmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christina Kiel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard H F Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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Ullrich F, Michels S, Lehmann D, Pieters RS, Becker M, Nelson BJ. Assistive Device for Efficient Intravitreal Injections. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2016; 47:752-62. [DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20160808-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Constable IJ, Blumenkranz MS, Schwartz SD, Barone S, Lai CM, Rakoczy EP. Gene Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2016; 5:300-3. [PMID: 27488071 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this article was to evaluate safety and signals of efficacy of gene therapy with subretinal rAAV.sFlt-1 for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). A phase 1 dose-escalating single-center controlled unmasked human clinical trial was followed up by extension of the protocol to a phase 2A single-center trial. rAAV.sFlt-1 vector was used to deliver a naturally occurring anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent, sFlt-1, into the subretinal space. In phase 1, step 1 randomized 3 subjects to low-dose rAAV.sFlt-1 (1 × 10 vector genomes) and 1 subject to the control arm; step 2 randomized an additional 3 subjects to treatment with high-dose rAAV.sFlt-1 (1 × 10 vector genomes) and 1 subject to the control arm. Follow-up studies demonstrated that rAAV.sFlt-1 was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile in these elderly subjects with wet AMD. Subretinal injection was highly reproducible, and no drug-related adverse events were reported. Procedure-related adverse events were mild and self-resolving. Two phakic patients developed cataract and underwent cataract surgery. Four of the 6 patients responded better than the small control group in this study and historical controls in terms of maintaining vision and a relatively dry retina with zero ranibizumab retreatments per annum. Two patients required 1 ranibizumab injection over the 52-week follow-up period. rAAV.sFlt-1 gene therapy may prove to be a potential adjunct or alternative to conventional intravitreal injection for patients with wet AMD by providing extended delivery of a naturally occurring antiangiogenic protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Jeffery Constable
- From the *Lions Eye Institute; †Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands; ‡Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; §University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles; ¶Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, Palo Alto; and ‖Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc, Menlo Park, CA
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Kume A, Ohshiro T, Sakurada Y, Kikushima W, Yoneyama S, Kashiwagi K. Treatment Patterns and Health Care Costs for Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japan. Ophthalmology 2016; 123:1263-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Eandi CM, Alovisi C, De Sanctis U, Grignolo FM. Treatment for neovascular age related macular degeneration: The state of the art. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 787:78-83. [PMID: 26948315 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
With the introduction in the clinical practice of drugs inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) the visual outcomes of patients with neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD) dramatically improved. Since 2006 repeated intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF became the standard of care for the treatment of neovascular AMD. This review provides an overview of available data form clinical trials supporting the use of anti-VEGF molecules for the treatment of this condition. Several questions remain open, in particular the regimen of treatment, the frequency of injection, the safety of the different drugs, and the poor response to the treatment in some cases. Therefore, new agents and alternative delivery are currently under evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M Eandi
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, Via Juvarra 19, 10122 Torino, Italy.
| | - Camilla Alovisi
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, Via Juvarra 19, 10122 Torino, Italy
| | - Ugo De Sanctis
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, Via Juvarra 19, 10122 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico M Grignolo
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, Via Juvarra 19, 10122 Torino, Italy
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Zanzottera EC, Messinger JD, Ach T, Smith RT, Freund KB, Curcio CA. The Project MACULA Retinal Pigment Epithelium Grading System for Histology and Optical Coherence Tomography in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2015; 56:3253-68. [PMID: 25813989 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-16431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To seek pathways of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) fate in age-related macular degeneration via a morphology grading system; provide nomenclature, visualization targets, and metrics for clinical imaging and model systems. METHODS Donor eyes with geographic atrophy (GA) or choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and one GA eye with previous clinical spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) imaging were processed for histology, photodocumented, and annotated at predefined locations. Retinal pigment epithelial cells contained spindle-shaped melanosomes, apposed a basal lamina or basal laminar deposit (BLamD), and exhibited recognizable morphologies. Thicknesses and unbiased estimates of frequencies were obtained. RESULTS In 13 GA eyes (449 locations), 'Shedding,' 'Sloughed,' and 'Dissociated' morphologies were abundant; 22.2% of atrophic locations had 'Dissociated' RPE. In 39 CNV eyes (1363 locations), 37.3% of locations with fibrovascular/fibrocellular scar had 'Entombed' RPE; 'Sloughed,' 'Dissociated,' and 'Bilaminar' morphologies were abundant. Of abnormal RPE, CNV and GA both had ~35% 'Sloughed'/'Intraretinal,' with more Intraretinal in CNV (9.5% vs. 1.8%). 'Shedding' cells associated with granule aggregations in BLamD. The RPE layer did not thin, and BLamD remained thick, with progression. Granule-containing material consistent with three morphologies correlated to SDOCT hyperreflective foci in the previously examined GA patient. CONCLUSIONS Retinal pigment epithelium morphology indicates multiple pathways in GA and CNV. Atrophic/scarred areas have numerous cells capable of transcribing genes and generating imaging signals. Shed granule aggregates, possibly apoptotic, are visible in SDOCT, as are 'Dissociated' and 'Sloughed' cells. The significance of RPE phenotypes is addressable in longitudinal, high-resolution imaging in clinic populations. Data can motivate future molecular phenotyping studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Zanzottera
- Department of Ophthalmology University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States 2Eye Clinic, Department of Clinical Science "Luigi Sacco," Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jeffrey D Messinger
- Department of Ophthalmology University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Thomas Ach
- Department of Ophthalmology University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States 3University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Ophthalmology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - R Theodore Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States
| | - K Bailey Freund
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States 5Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, New York, United States 6LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear
| | - Christine A Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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Stem cell based therapies for age-related macular degeneration: The promises and the challenges. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015; 48:1-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Calcium, ARMS2 genotype, and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in early age-related macular degeneration: a multivariate analysis from the Nagahama study. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9345. [PMID: 25792034 PMCID: PMC4366853 DOI: 10.1038/srep09345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although various risk factors have been identified for the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), risk factors of early AMD have been relatively under studied. We aimed to investigate AMD risk factors by evaluating multiple factors in association with large drusen, an important component of AMD, simultaneously. In a community-based cross-sectional survey in Japan, 971 large drusen cases and 3,209 controls were compared for 65 variables, including systemic, environmental, and genetic factors. The association and the effect size of each factor were evaluated with logistic regression analysis using a backward-elimination approach. Multivariate analyses identified a significant association in serum calcium level (odds ratio [OR] = 0.932, P = 1.05 × 10−3), ARMS2 A69S (rs10490924) genotype (OR = 1.046, P < 0.001), Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG (OR = 1.020, P = 0.0440), and age (OR = 1.013, P < 0.001) for large drusen. Hypocalcemia was observed in 7.2% of large drusen cases and in 5.5% of controls (P = 0.0490). C. pneumoniae infections was more frequent in large drusen cases (56.4%) than in conrols (51.7%, P = 0.00956). These results suggest that calcium, ARMS2 genotype, C. pneumonia infection, and age are significant factors in the development of the early stages of AMD.
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Erke MG, Bertelsen G, Peto T, Sjølie AK, Lindekleiv H, Njølstad I. Cardiovascular risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration: the Tromsø Study. Acta Ophthalmol 2014; 92:662-9. [PMID: 24460653 DOI: 10.1111/aos.12346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS A population-based, cross-sectional study of Caucasians aged 65-87 years was conducted in Norway in 2007/2008. Retinal photographs were graded for AMD. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed based on questionnaires addressing habits of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, health and medication; and physical examination comprising anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood sampling. Cardiovascular disease status was obtained from a validated end-point registry. RESULTS Gradable photographs were available for 2631 participants, of whom 92 (3.5%) subjects had late AMD. In the multivariable analysis of late AMD, significant interactions were found between sex and the variables age, triglyceride level, use of lipid-lowering drugs and physical exercise. Current daily smoking was significantly related to late AMD in both sexes (odds ratio (OR) 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-9.76 and OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.17-11.04, women and men, respectively) compared with never smokers. Higher number of pack years was associated with the presence of large drusen (>125 μm) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.09 per 5 years). Higher systolic blood pressure (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12 per 5 mmHg), overweight (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.13-7.29) and obesity (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.06-8.03), physical exercise duration (OR 0.41, 95% 0.18-0.96 for 30 min or more compared with less) and frequency (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.92 for weekly or more often compared to less) were associated with late AMD in women only. CONCLUSIONS Smoking was strongly associated with AMD, in line with results from other populations. Also, late AMD was related to higher systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja G Erke
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery; University Hospital of North Norway; Tromsø Norway
- Research Group of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases; Department of Community Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - Geir Bertelsen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery; University Hospital of North Norway; Tromsø Norway
- Research Group of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases; Department of Community Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - Tunde Peto
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology; Head of Reading Centre; London UK
| | - Anne K Sjølie
- Department of Ophthalmology; Odense University Hospital; Odense Denmark
- Brain and Circulation Research Group; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - Haakon Lindekleiv
- Research Group of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases; Department of Community Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - Inger Njølstad
- Research Group of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases; Department of Community Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
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Schmidt-Erfurth U, Chong V, Loewenstein A, Larsen M, Souied E, Schlingemann R, Eldem B, Monés J, Richard G, Bandello F. Guidelines for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration by the European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA). Br J Ophthalmol 2014; 98:1144-67. [PMID: 25136079 PMCID: PMC4145443 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 403] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is still referred to as the leading cause of severe and irreversible visual loss world-wide. The disease has a profound effect on quality of life of affected individuals and represents a major socioeconomic challenge for societies due to the exponential increase in life expectancy and environmental risks. Advances in medical research have identified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an important pathophysiological player in neovascular AMD and intraocular inhibition of VEGF as one of the most efficient therapies in medicine. The wide introduction of anti-VEGF therapy has led to an overwhelming improvement in the prognosis of patients affected by neovascular AMD, allowing recovery and maintenance of visual function in the vast majority of patients. However, the therapeutic benefit is accompanied by significant economic investments, unresolved medicolegal debates about the use of off-label substances and overwhelming problems in large population management. The burden of disease has turned into a burden of care with a dissociation of scientific advances and real-world clinical performance. Simultaneously, ground-breaking innovations in diagnostic technologies, such as optical coherence tomography, allows unprecedented high-resolution visualisation of disease morphology and provides a promising horizon for early disease detection and efficient therapeutic follow-up. However, definite conclusions from morphologic parameters are still lacking, and valid biomarkers have yet to be identified to provide a practical base for disease management. The European Society of Retina Specialists offers expert guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic management of neovascular AMD supporting healthcare givers and doctors in providing the best state-of-the-art care to their patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01318941.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor Chong
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK
| | - Anat Loewenstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Larsen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eric Souied
- Hôpital Intercommunal de Créteil, Paris, France
| | - Reinier Schlingemann
- Medical Retina Unit and Ocular Angiogenesis Group, Department Of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bora Eldem
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jordi Monés
- Centro Médico TEKNON, Director Institut de la Màcula i de la Retina, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gisbert Richard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Francesco Bandello
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute; Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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Finger RP, Wickremasinghe SS, Baird PN, Guymer RH. Predictors of anti-VEGF treatment response in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol 2014; 59:1-18. [PMID: 24332379 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2013.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Currently available evidence on predictors of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment response in neovascular age-related macular degeneration was reviewed. No meta-analysis of results is possible because of a lack of controlled and randomized trials, varying treatment regimes and outcome measures used, as well as suboptimal reporting. For genetic factors, most evidence to date has been generated for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the complement factor H (CFH), and VEGF-A genes. Just under half of the SNPs assessed in the CFH gene and 15% of the SNPs assessed in the VEGF gene were found to be associated with visual outcomes or the number of injections required during follow-up. Some evidence suggests association of worse treatment outcomes as well as a younger age at treatment onset with an increasing number of risk alleles in known risk genes (CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1) and polymorphisms in the VEGF-A gene. Clinical factors such as higher age, a better visual acuity (VA), a larger choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion at baseline, and a delay between symptom onset and initiation of treatment of more than 3 weeks also impact outcomes. Conversely, a worse acuity at baseline predicted more gain in vision. Overall, patients presenting with good acuity at baseline were more likely to have good VA at follow up, but the gain afforded by treatment was impacted by a ceiling effect. Most available evidence suggests a strong association of clinical factors such as age, baseline VA, and CNV lesion size with anti-VEGF treatment outcomes. No behavioral factors such as smoking influence treatment outcomes. Based on the studies conducted so far, the evidence suggests that underlying genotype of known AMD risk associated genes or of the VEGF-A gene have a limited effect, whereas presenting clinical factors appear to be more important in determining treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Finger
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Germany.
| | - Sanjeewa S Wickremasinghe
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul N Baird
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn H Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Stein JD, Lum F, Lee PP, Rich WL, Coleman AL. Use of health care claims data to study patients with ophthalmologic conditions. Ophthalmology 2014; 121:1134-41. [PMID: 24433971 PMCID: PMC4012019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe what information is or is not included in health care claims data, provide an overview of the main advantages and limitations of performing analyses using health care claims data, and offer general guidance on how to report and interpret findings of ophthalmology-related claims data analyses. DESIGN Systematic review. PARTICIPANTS Not applicable. METHODS A literature review and synthesis of methods for claims-based data analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Not applicable. RESULTS Some advantages of using claims data for analyses include large, diverse sample sizes, longitudinal follow-up, lack of selection bias, and potential for complex, multivariable modeling. The disadvantages include (a) the inherent limitations of claims data, such as incomplete, inaccurate, or missing data, or the lack of specific billing codes for some conditions; and (b) the inability, in some circumstances, to adequately evaluate the appropriateness of care. In general, reports of claims data analyses should include clear descriptions of the following methodological elements: the data source, the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the specific billing codes used, and the potential confounding factors incorporated in the multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS The use of claims data for research is expected to increase with the enhanced availability of data from Medicare and other sources. The use of claims data to evaluate resource use and efficiency and to determine the basis for supplementary payment methods for physicians is anticipated. Thus, it will be increasingly important for eye care providers to use accurate and descriptive codes for billing. Adherence to general guidance on the reporting of claims data analyses, as outlined in this article, is important to enhance the credibility and applicability of findings. Guidance on optimal ways to conduct and report ophthalmology-related investigations using claims data will likely continue to evolve as health services researchers refine the metrics to analyze large administrative data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Stein
- W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Flora Lum
- H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., M.D. Center for Quality Eye Care, American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California.
| | - Paul P Lee
- W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - William L Rich
- Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Anne L Coleman
- H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., M.D. Center for Quality Eye Care, American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California; Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine and Jonathan and Karen Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Fritsche LG, Fariss RN, Stambolian D, Abecasis GR, Curcio CA, Swaroop A. Age-related macular degeneration: genetics and biology coming together. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2014; 15:151-71. [PMID: 24773320 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090413-025610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic and genomic studies have enhanced our understanding of complex neurodegenerative diseases that exert a devastating impact on individuals and society. One such disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of progressive and debilitating visual impairment. Since the pioneering discovery in 2005 of complement factor H (CFH) as a major AMD susceptibility gene, extensive investigations have confirmed 19 additional genetic risk loci, and more are anticipated. In addition to common variants identified by now-conventional genome-wide association studies, targeted genomic sequencing and exome-chip analyses are uncovering rare variant alleles of high impact. Here, we provide a critical review of the ongoing genetic studies and of common and rare risk variants at a total of 20 susceptibility loci, which together explain 40-60% of the disease heritability but provide limited power for diagnostic testing of disease risk. Identification of these susceptibility loci has begun to untangle the complex biological pathways underlying AMD pathophysiology, pointing to new testable paradigms for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars G Fritsche
- Center for Statistical Genetics, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; ,
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Sloan FA, Hanrahan BW. The effects of technological advances on outcomes for elderly persons with exudative age-related macular degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmol 2014; 132:456-63. [PMID: 24458013 PMCID: PMC4159750 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.7647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the major cause of blindness among US elderly. Developing effective therapies for this disease has been difficult. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of introducing new therapies for treating exudative ARMD on vision of the affected population and other outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed as having ARMD. DESIGN The study used data from a 5% sample of Medicare claims and enrollment data with a combination of a regression discontinuity design and propensity score matching to assess the effects on the introduction or receipt of new technologies on study outcomes during a 2-year follow-up period. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The analysis was based on longitudinal data for the United States, January 1, 1994, to December 31, 2011, for Medicare beneficiaries with fee-for-service coverage. The sample was limited to beneficiaries 68 years or older newly diagnosed as having exudative ARMD as indicated by beneficiaries having no claims with this diagnosis in a 3-year look-back period. EXPOSURES The comparisons with vision outcomes were after vs before the introduction of photodynamic therapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The comparisons for depression and long-term care facility admission were between beneficiaries newly diagnosed as having exudative ARMD who received photodynamic therapy or anti-VEGF therapy compared with beneficiaries having the diagnosis who received no therapy for this disease. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Onset of decrease in vision, vision loss or blindness, depression, and admission to a long-term care facility. RESULTS Among beneficiaries newly diagnosed as having exudative ARMD, the introduction of anti-VEGF therapy reduced vision loss by 41% (95% CI, 52%-68%) and onset of severe vision loss and blindness by 46% (95% CI, 47%-63%). Such beneficiaries who received anti-VEGF therapy and were not admitted to a long-term care facility during the look-back period were 19% (95% CI, 72%-91%) less likely on average to be admitted to a long-term care facility during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study demonstrates gains in population vision from the introduction of anti-VEGF therapy for patients 68 years or older with an exudative ARMD diagnosis in community-based settings in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank A Sloan
- Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brian W Hanrahan
- Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Chiu CJ, Mitchell P, Klein R, Klein BE, Chang ML, Gensler G, Taylor A. A risk score for the prediction of advanced age-related macular degeneration: development and validation in 2 prospective cohorts. Ophthalmology 2014; 121:1421-7. [PMID: 24650555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a clinical eye-specific prediction model for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) cohort followed up for 8 years served as the training dataset, and the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) cohort followed up for 10 years served as the validation dataset. PARTICIPANTS A total of 4507 AREDS participants (contributing 1185 affected vs. 6992 unaffected eyes) and 2169 BMES participants (contributing 69 affected vs. 3694 unaffected eyes). METHODS Using Bayes' theorem in a logistic model, we used 8 baseline predictors-age, sex, education level, race, smoking status, and presence of pigment abnormality, soft drusen, and maximum drusen size-to devise and validate a macular risk scoring system (MRSS). We assessed the performance of the MRSS by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (i.e., c-index). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Advanced AMD. RESULTS The internally validated c-indexAREDS (0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.89) and the externally validated c-indexBMES (0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.95) suggested excellent performance of the MRSS. The sensitivity and specificity at the optimal macular risk score cutoff point of 0 were 87.6% and 73.6%, respectively. An application for the iPhone and iPad also was developed as a practical tool for the MRSS. CONCLUSIONS The MRSS was developed and validated to provide satisfactory accuracy and generalizability. It may be used to screen patients at risk of developing advanced AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Jung Chiu
- Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Paul Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Ronald Klein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Barbara E Klein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Min-Lee Chang
- Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gary Gensler
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study Coordinating Center, The EMMES Corporation, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Allen Taylor
- Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Schneider EW, Mruthyunjaya P, Talwar N, Harris Nwanyanwu K, Nan B, Stein JD. Reduced fluorescein angiography and fundus photography use in the management of neovascular macular degeneration and macular edema during the past decade. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:542-9. [PMID: 24346174 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We assessed recent trends in the use of diagnostic testing for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) and macular edema (ME). METHODS Claims data from a managed-care network were analyzed on patients with NVAMD (n = 22,954) or ME (n = 31,810) to assess the use of fluorescein angiography (FA), fundus photography (FP), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) from 2001 to 2009. Repeated-measures logistic regression was performed to compare patients' odds of undergoing these procedures in 2001, 2005, and 2009. In addition, the proportions of patients with an incident NVAMD or ME diagnosis in 2003 or 2008 who underwent FA, FP, and OCT were compared. RESULTS From 2001 to 2009, among patients with NVAMD, the odds of undergoing OCT increased 23-fold, whereas the odds of receiving FA and FP decreased by 68% and 79%, respectively. Similar trends were observed for ME. From 2003 to 2008, the proportion of patients undergoing OCT within 1 year of initial diagnosis increased by 315% for NVAMD and by 143% for ME; the proportion undergoing OCT without FA within 1 year increased by 463% for NVAMD and by 216% for ME. CONCLUSIONS Use of OCT increased dramatically during the past decade, whereas use of FA and FP declined considerably, suggesting that OCT may be replacing more traditional diagnostic testing in patients with NVAMD or ME. Future studies should evaluate whether this increased reliance on OCT instead of FA and FP affects patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Schneider
- Duke University Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Schwartz SG, Scott IU, Flynn HW, Stewart MW. Drug delivery techniques for treating age-related macular degeneration. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2013; 11:61-8. [DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2013.859135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Nakata I, Yamashiro K, Nakanishi H, Akagi-Kurashige Y, Miyake M, Tsujikawa A, Matsuda F, Yoshimura N. Prevalence and characteristics of age-related macular degeneration in the Japanese population: the Nagahama study. Am J Ophthalmol 2013; 156:1002-1009.e2. [PMID: 23938127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate the age- and sex-specific prevalence of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD; drusen and retinal pigment abnormalities) and late AMD (exudative AMD and geographic atrophy) in the Japanese population. DESIGN Community-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS The study was held in Nagahama, Japan, and included 6065 Japanese individuals (aged ≥50 years) recruited in 2008-2010. We graded fundus photographs of both eyes for the AMD phenotype based on drusen size, the presence of retinal pigment abnormalities, and late AMD. The associations between smoking and AMD phenotypes were also evaluated. RESULTS We assessed 5595 subjects (women, 65%) with a gradable macular condition. Early and late AMD prevalence increased from 16.1% and 0.27% at 50-59 years to 31.2% and 0.98%, respectively, at 70-74 years and was predominant in male subjects in each age group. Smoking was associated with both early and late AMD stages and retinal pigment abnormalities (P < .0001), but not with drusen (P = .305). The prevalence of retinal pigment abnormalities was significantly higher in men (P < .0001), which was associated with high rates of cigarette smoking. We found no sex difference for the prevalence of large drusen (P = .264). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of early AMD among adult Japanese persons was similar to the rates in white populations. The prevalence of late AMD in Japanese people aged <70 years was similar to that observed in white populations, whereas that in Japanese people aged ≥70 years was relatively lower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isao Nakata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Center for Genomic Medicine/Inserm U.852, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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