Bayer HealthCare reports that data have been presented at the 14th EURETINA congress in London, showcasing the efficacy of EYLEA® (aflibercept solution for injection) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in the real-life setting. Numerous posters presented at the congress, from centres across the UK, highlight that treatment with EYLEA has resulted in improved visual and/or anatomical outcomes in treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients. (1-4)
Bayer HealthCare reports that data have been presented at the 14th EURETINA congress in London, showcasing the efficacy of EYLEA® (aflibercept solution for injection) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in the real-life setting. Numerous posters presented at the congress, from centres across the UK, highlight that treatment with EYLEA has resulted in improved visual and/or anatomical outcomes in treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients. (1-4)
Commenting on the data, Luis-Felipe Graterol, Medical Director, Bayer HealthCare said, ‘It is encouraging to see that the efficacy seen in the clinical trials for EYLEA is being reflected in clinical practice and that patients are benefitting from this treatment across the country. The continued enthusiasm to investigate EYLEA’s use in the clinical setting will work towards increasing the wealth of knowledge about this treatment.’
EYLEA EURETINA posters include:
A. Kogiantis et al. Aflibercept treatment for exudative age-related macular degeneration in patients who exhibited incomplete response to multiple ranibizumab injections. Watford General Hospital, London. (1)
Data from this one year, retrospective, study showed EYLEA to be effective in patients with wAMD who were resistant to previous treatment with ranibizumab. All 10 patients (10 eyes) within the study had at least seven previous injections of ranibizumab, with the mean number of previous injections being 13.9 (range 7-29). Visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) was measured at the time of switching and four months after the first EYLEA injection. The mean VA before switching and at four months was 0.68 LogMAR (range: 0.42-1.04) and 0.59 LogMAR (range: 0.06-0.90) respectively; with an improvement in VA seen in 70% (7/10) of eyes, a deterioration in 20% (2/10) and stabilisation in 10% (1/10).
The mean central foveal thickness (CRT) before switching and at four months was 396.9 µm (range: 293-602) and 321.8 µm (range: 220-523) respectively; with a decrease in 80% (8/10) of eyes, increase in 10% (1/10) and stabilisation (within 5 µm) in 10% (1/10).
Abou Ltaif S et al. Anatomical and visual effect of aflibercept on exudative AMD patients resistant to six consecutive ranibizumab injections. Southend University Hospital, Essex. (2)
Data from this prospective case-series study showed that EYLEA produced an immediate anatomical response in 17 wAMD patients resistant to ranibizumab injections. Injection history, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT were measured at every visit. Results showed that after one injection of EYLEA the CFT average was 324.32 µm (range 222-585), after four months (three consecutive injections) the CFT average was 294.76 µm (range 184-640) and after six months the CFT average was 356 µm (range 206-609).
At the fifth visit, 47% (8/17) of patients required repeated injections either for persistent fluid or for recurrence. At the sixth and final visit 23.5% (4/17) needed repeated injections. BCVA at the beginning of the study was an average of 0.998, at month one the average was 1.01, at month four (after three consecutive injections) the average was 0.952 and at month six it was 0.933.
The anatomical improvement did not correlate with functional improvement in all patients; this was anticipated due to damage observed before initiation of EYLEA treatment. Based on these results, there is a recommendation for early intervention when faced with resistance to ranibizumab to avoid irreversible damage of the foveal area.
Gkountelia A. et al. Aflibercept therapy for neovascular ARMD (outcomes in a clinical setting). West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS, WGH. (3)
Data from this study showed that EYLEA can deliver favourable outcomes in the clinical setting in both treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients. Of the 28 patients (30 eyes) included in the study, 30% had previous ranibizumab injections. Results showed that three months after the first EYLEA injection 76.7% (23/30) of eyes had gained >5 letters, with 23.3% losing >5 letters (7/30). CRT decreased in 80% of eyes, with a mean reduction of 137 µm (range: 1-332), and increased in 20% of eyes, with a mean thickening of 114 µm (range: 54-188). There was no statistically significant difference in the change in VA and CRT between the treatment-naïve and pre-treated eyes.
Empeslidis T et al. Aflibercept 2 mg intravitreal injections in retinal angiomatous proliferation. Royal Leicester Infirmary. (4)
Data from this study showed that EYLEA is efficacious in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) after an injection every month for a total of three injections. The study included 12 patients (12 eyes) and measured change in CRT and best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA). Results showed a decrease in CRT in all cases (mean 128 ± 62.94 µm) and improved BCDVA in 83% (10/12) of eyes (mean 0.14 ± 0.16 LogMAR). BCDVA did not improve in two cases possibly due to permanent damage that had already occurred in the photoreceptors.
References
- Data on file. EYLP001. Bayer HealthCare 2014
- Data on file. EYLP002. Bayer HealthCare 2014
- Data on file. EYLP004. Bayer HealthCare 2014
- Data on file. EYLP005. Bayer HealthCare 2014
- EYLEA® summary of product characteristics (SmPC)
