#46 Drug Update

Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin protect or improve vision for many patients. Very often they need to be injected every 4 – 8 weeks. New drugs and methods of delivery are being tested and studied.  

Here’s a website link for more information from the Bright Focus Foundation.

“Recent results from a phase III clinical trial showed that a new drug called brolucizumab given every 8-12 weeks, as needed, compared favorably to Eylea given every 8 weeks. Specifically, brolucizumab showed superior resolution of fluid that had leaked into the retina out of abnormal blood vessels.”

The article goes on to explain new delivery systems that are being studied. One of these is a port delivery system (PDS) where a tiny device is implanted surgically into the wall of the eye that can store and slowly release Lucentis. This delivery system is in a phase II clinical trial, called LADDER, with an expected completion date in mid-2019. This approach may result in fewer office visits and treatments. Once the RPDS runs out of Lucentis, it can be refilled during an office visit. The study continues whether this method of delivery is as effective as drops.  This link gives more information on this method of drug delivery.

A new drug called Abicipar is injected into the eye and the trial study shows it can last up to 12 weeks. Even more important, it has the potential to work for years when injected under the retina.

The study I get most excited about is the one when drops are put in the eye or eyes by the patients at home. That’s drops instead of injections!!

This Vision Aware article describes possible drugs still being studied.

As this article explains, the tests so far only involve mice, but the initial results are promising.

The ideal drug for slowing down the progression of macular degeneration would be self-administered, like eye drops. Such a drug would eliminate the need for a doctor visit every 6 to 8 weeks for an injection. Also, longer-lasting medication would be ideal.

On the Vision Aware website, the right-hand side has a list of Blog Topics and a Blogroll. Both lists have information on all things dealing with eyes.