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Avastin for Ophthalmic Uses
The FDA has raised safety concerns regarding the off-label use of Avastin for AMD through repackaging Avastin into syringes for intravitreal delivery. In response, Genentech has now shifted the responsibility of discontinuing distribution of Avastin to compounding pharmacies to the FDA. The NIH and NHS have separately initiated head-to-head studies of Lucentis versus Avastin. Will use of Avastin for AMD becurbed? Which of these currently unraveling events will have the greatest impact on the AMD market?Avastin (bevacizumab) is being used by retinal specialists (as an off-label use) in the treatment of wet macular degeneration, or AMD. Wet AMD is a serious, vision-threatening condition. In wet AMD abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow in the area of the retina known as the macula. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid causing damage to the macula and loss of vision. Studies have shown Avastin™ (bevacizumab) to benefit wet macular degeneration patients.
The use of intravitreal Avastin in this disease is a natural extension of the previous work with intravitreal Avastin in neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD). Last year, Michels et al3 reported on systemic Avastin for the treatment of neovascular AMD in nine patients followed over 3 months, and this cohort was subsequently expanded to 18 patients followed over 6 months.4 During these 6 months, the authors observed a rapid and sustained improvement in visual acuity and anatomical outcomes.