The therapeutic response of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) differs among individuals. According to the changes of central retinal thickness, intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, best corrected visual acuity and other morphological or functional manifestations after treatment, the performance of the treated eyes can be classified as optimal response, poor response and non-response. A variety of factors could account for poor or non-response to anti-VEGF, such as genomic polymorphism and specific genomic risk alleles, lesion characteristics, vitreous and macular structural abnormalities, resistance to anti-VEGF drug, and the role of pericytes and others. The common counter measures include increasing the dosage, shortening the injection interval and replacing with another alternative drug, inhibition of pericytes, relieving vitreomacular anatomical abnormalities. It is still worthy of further exploration that how to assess individual reasons for non-response, so that we can give proper treatment to reduce the excessive use of anti-VEGF drugs and improve the clinical management of ocular neovascularization diseases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of laser photocoagulation and intravitreal ranibizumab treatment of retinopathy of premature(ROP). MethodsThis study included 49 ROP infants (96 eyes), including type 1 pre-threshold ROP (7 infants, 14 eyes), threshold ROP (38 infants, 44 eyes) and aggressive posterior ROP (AP-ROP, 4 infants, 8 eyes). According to the treatments received, all patients were divided into laser photocoagulation (LP) group (40 infants, 78 eyes) and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment group (9 infants, 18 eyes). Generally, zoneⅡand stage 3 ROP with clear refractive media received laser photocoagulation, zoneⅠROP and AP-ROP, or eyes with unclear refractive media or infants with poor general condition received IVR. The infant gestational age, birth weight, corrected gestational age at first treatment and the cure rate of the first treatment were analyzed between the two groups, and between three disease types (type 1 pre-threshold, threshold and AP-ROP). ResultsThe gestational age and birth weight was no difference between the LP group and IVR group (t=0.827, 1.911; P > 0.05). The corrected gestational age at first treatment of LP group was significantly smaller than that in the IVR group (t=3.041, P < 0.05). In the LP group, 75 of 78 eyes (96.15%) was cured by the first treatment, 3 of 78 eyes (3.85%) progressed to stage 4A after the first treatment and was controlled by vitrectomy. In the IVR group, 8 of 18 eyes (44.44%) was cured by the first treatment, 10 of 18 eyes (55.56%) progressed to next stage after the first treatment and was controlled by additional laser photocoagulation or repeated IVR. The gestational age and birth weight was no difference between type 1 pre-threshold, threshold and AP-ROP infants (t=2.071, 0.664; P > 0.05). The corrected gestational age at first treatment of type 1 pre-threshold infants was the same of the threshold lesion infants (t=2.054, P > 0.05). The corrected gestational age at first treatment of AP-ROP infants was significantly smaller than that of type 1 pre-threshold and threshold lesion infants (t=3.250, P < 0.05). The cure rate was statistically significant (χ2=24.787, P < 0.05) between there three ROP lesions. ConclusionIVR treatment is suitable for zoneⅠlesions, AP-ROP and Plus lesions, while laser photocoagulation is appropriate for zoneⅡlesions with fibrosis and less vascular proliferation.
Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of Bevacizumab on retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse. Methods 90 one-week-old C57B L/6J mice were divided into four groups at random. 15 mice in the 1st group as normal control group, 15 mice in the 2nd group as oxygen control group, 30 mice in the 3rd group as high-dose Bevacizumab treatment group, 30 mice in the 4th group as low-dose Bevacizumab treatment group. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then to room air. At the 12th day, One eye of each mouse of two control groups were received an intravitreal injection with Be vacizumab at 2 mu;l、1 mu;l respectively, and the same volume of BSS was injected into the other eye of the mice. The adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) histochemical technique was used for retinal flat mount to assess the oxygen-induced change s of retinal vessels. The number of the endothelium cell nuclei of proliferative neovascularization was quantified by retinal microtome chromoscopy. Real-time PCR analysis was performed to examine the expression of VEGF mRNA. Results Comparing with oxygen control group, regular distributions, reduced density of retina l vascular and reduced endothelium cell nuclei which extending retinal membrane were observed in the treatment groups(P＜0.001). But the differences between two treatment groups are not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The expression of VEGF mRNA was not significantly different in oxygen control group whatever it whether accepted Bevacizumab treatment or high or low dose (P＞0.05). Conclusion Intravitreal injection with Bevacizumab can effectively inhibits the retinal neova scularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse. Intravitreal injection with Bevacizumab might become to the new method to treat retinopathy of premature. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：184-188）
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of combination of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation for the treatment of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP). MethodsMedical records of 70 eyes of 35 premature infants with a primary diagnosis of AP-ROP in our clinic were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. All the lesions were located in posterior zone, with 42 eyes in zone 1 and 28 eyes in zone 2. Forty-six eyes had iris neovascularization, while 19 eyes combined with vitreous hemorrhage. All participants underwent intravitreal injection of ranibizumab as the primary treatment within 12 hours after diagnosis of AP-ROP. The systemic and ocular adverse effects were observed. The change of retinal vascular tortuosity and dilatation before and after the intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was observed one week after injection. Laser photocoagulation was used as adjuvant therapy if the plus disease persisted more than two weeks or new-onset ridge occurred after injection. The mean time interval between injection and laser therapy was (5.1±2.6) weeks (range, 1-10 weeks). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months, with a mean of (10.3±3.9) months. The anatomical results and complications were evaluated after treatment. The eyes that progressed to stage 4 or 5 during the follow-ups were underwent lens-sparing vitrectomy or lensectomy combined with vitrectomy. ResultsNo major systemic or ocular complications were observed. Preretinal hemorrhages were found in 12 eyes of 8 patients (17.1%), but they were absorbed spontaneously during the follow-ups. All lens remained transparent and no iatrogenic retinal hole was occurred during the follow-ups. After the injection, the regression of iris neovascularization was observed in 46 eyes within one week, vitreous hemorrhage absorbed significantly in 16 eyes (84.2%), and plus disease disappeared completely within one week in 61 eyes (87.1%). 59 eyes (84.3%) demonstrated vascularization toward the peripheral retina after treatment. 32 out of 42 eyes (76.2%) with zone 1 demonstrated vascularization toward to zone 2, while 24 out of 28 eyes (85.7%) with zone 2 demonstrated vascularization toward to the junction of zone 2 and 3. After intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with laser photocoagulation, 62 of 70 eyes (88.6%) had retinal vascular ridge and plus disease regression. However, 8 eyes of 6 patients (11.4%) showed significant fibrovascular proliferation and progressed to retinal detachment after the combination treatment of intravitreal ranibizumab injection and laser photocoagulation. Four eyes underwent lens-sparing vitrectomy, while the other 4 eyes underwent vitrectomy combined with lensectomy. Five eyes achieved totally retinal reattachment after surgery, while 3 eyes achieved partially retinal reattachment. ConclusionThe combination of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation is safe and effective in the treatment of AP-ROP.
For choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia, intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF has been widely used in clinic and achieved good outcome. However, due to the differences in the demographic characteristics, stages of disease progression and treatment procedure of CNV, the prognosis of the disease is variable. Complete ellipsoid band, smaller baseline choroidal neovascularization and better baseline vision are important predictors of good outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Chorioretinal atrophy or complications related to pathologic myopia indicate a poor prognosis. The influence of age, race, previous photodynamic therapy and early treatment on the prognosis of treatment need to be further studied.
Objective To observe the inhibitory effects and characteristics of intravitreal injection with bevacizumab on laser induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Methods Twelve male brown norway（BN）rats were divided into the bevacizumab group and control group with six rats in each group. One eye of rats were received a series of 8 diode laser esions around optic disc to induce CNV,then the rats in bevacizumab group and control group underwent intravitreal injection with 2 mu;l bevacizumab and ringer's lactate.On days 7,14,and 21，the morphology and leakage of CNV were observed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).On day 21 after photocoagulation,the photocoagulated eyes were enucleated and processed for histopathologic examination, including hematoxylin and eosin (Hamp;E) staining and immunohistochemistry staining for vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）.Results On day 7 after photocoagulation,ICGA showed that CNV developed in the bevacizumab group and the control group. FFA showed that leakage intensity in the bevacizumab group was significantly lower than that in the control group，but the bevacizumab group gradually increased over time. The mean thickness of CNV significantly decreased in the bevacizumab group.The CNV in the bevacizumab group were negative for VEGF according to the result of immmuohistochemistry staining.Conclusions Early intravitreal injection with 2 mu;l bevacizumab can reduce the thickness of CNV and inhibit the leakage of CNV. However, bevacizumab could neither block the formation of CNV, nor suppress the permeability permanently. Combined other therapies with bevacizumab may be more potential to treat CNV effectively.
Objective To observe the effects of intravitreal injection of conbercept for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP). Methods It is a retrospective case study. Twenty-one patients (40 eyes) with AP-ROP were enrolled in this study. There were 9 males (18 eyes) and 12 females (22 eyes), with the mean gestational age of (28.30±1.79) weeks and the mean birth weight of (1 021.40±316.70) g. All the lesions of 40 eyes were located in posterior zone, with 24 eyes in zone I and 16 eyes in zone II. All the eyes were treated with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.025 ml (0.25 mg). During follow-up, nonresponders or patients with deterioration were retreated with intravitreal injection of conbercept or photocoagulation; patients with progressive deterioration to stage 4 had received vitrectomy. At the 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 weeks after treatments, the disappearance or decrease of retinal vessel tortuosity and neovascularization, and the growth of the normal retinal vessels toward the peripheral retina were evaluated. Results Thirty-six eyes were cured for only one injection, the cured rate was 90.00%. However, 2 eyes (5.00%) had progressed to stage 4 with contractive retinal detachment, which underwent vitrectomy. Two eyes (5.00%) had received twice injections, whose remaining avascular zone area treated by photocoagulation. No major systemic or ocular complications after injection appeared. All lens remained transparent and no iatrogenic retinal hole was occurred during the follow-up. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of conbercept is effective in the treatment of AP-ROP.