An updated study of the use of bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity in taiwan.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate the effectiveness and complications associated with the use of bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent, in the treatment of prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

DESIGN:

A multicenter, retrospective case series.

METHODS:

Data from patients who had received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for the treatment of ROP were collected from 4 medical centers in Taiwan. The main outcome measures were the regression of ROP and the complications that were associated with the IVB injections.

RESULTS:

In total, 162 eyes from 85 patients were included in the study. After receiving IVB injections, 143 eyes (88%) exhibited ROP regression. Fourteen eyes (9%) required additional laser treatment for ROP regression after the absence of a positive response to the IVB injections. Three eyes (2%) progressed to stage 4 ROP and required vitrectomies to reattach the retinas. Two eyes (1%) received 1 additional IVB injection to decrease persistent plus disease. All of the eyes (100%) had attached retinas after the various treatments that they received. The major ocular complications that were associated with IVB injections included vitreous or preretinal hemorrhage in 2 eyes (1%); cataract in 1 eye (1%); and exotropia in 1 eye (1%). No notable systemic complications related to the IVB injections were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

IVB injection seems to be an effective and well-tolerated method of treating prethreshold ROP. Laser therapy may still be required as a backup treatment for patients who do not respond to an IVB injection or for those in whom ROP worsens after an IVB injection.

• Authors: Wei-Chi Wu, Hsi-Kung Kuo, Po-Ting Yeh, Chung-May Yang, Chi-Chun Lai, San-Ni Chen
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 155 Issue 1 Pg. 150-158.e1 (Jan 2013) ISSN: 1879-1891 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22967867 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Bevacizumab

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bevacizumab
• Birth Weight
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gestational Age
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Intraocular Pressure (physiology)
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Retinal Neovascularization (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Taiwan
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Vitrectomy