DRCR.Net Aflibercept vs. Bevacizumab + Deferred Aflibercept for the Treatment of CI-DME
Status:
Active, not recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-12-20
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Both aflibercept and bevacizumab have been shown to improve vision in eyes with DME. In eyes
with DME and at least moderate vision loss, both aflibercept and bevacizumab were also shown
to be successful in many eyes. However, aflibercept was shown to be more effective at
improving vision, on average, at 1 year and at 2 years. Due to the large cost difference
between the two drugs, many clinicians and patients are choosing to initiate treatment with
bevacizumab and then switch to aflibercept depending on the eye's response to bevacizumab
treatment. However, there is no scientific evidence that this treatment strategy is as
effective at improving vision as initiating treatment with aflibercept. Patients and
clinicians do not know if this approach ultimately has deleterious effects on visual acuity.
If starting with aflibercept is not better than starting with bevacizumab and switching to
aflibercept if needed, the potential cost savings to future patients and the health care
system would be substantial. However, if starting with aflibercept is better, then patients,
clinicians, and health care providers can make informed decisions for how to best treat
patients with DME and at least moderate vision loss.
Study Objectives To compare the efficacy of intravitreous aflibercept with intravitreous
bevacizumab + deferred aflibercept if needed in eyes with CI DME and moderate vision loss