Is Avastin Helpful in Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity?

January 12, 2011

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Dr. Ari Weitzner

Ophthalmology: ROP regressed after an Avastin injection in stage III disease in 37 of 41 eyes- the rest required laser. This is a promising tool in this difficult disease.

 

 

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3 Responses to “Is Avastin Helpful in Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity?”

  • Violeta Radenovich, MD MPH. Pediatric Ophthalmologist
    on October 12, 2012 6:05 pm

    I an one of the co-investigators of the BEAT-ROP trial. This study is a prospective randomized clinical trial for Zone I and posterior zone II ROP with stage 3 +
    one group was randomized to laser therapy and one group to monotherapy intravitreal Bevacizumab.For zone I ROP we have a sucess rate of 96.8% 60/62 for favorable structural outcomes 2 year follow-up . The laser group had 65.3% (43/66) sucees rate. None of the babies in the avastin group required laser. 2 babies needed a second injection when recurrence was noted. I agree with Dr. Martinez Castellanos some have some peripheral avascular retina but no neovascularization. Patients with ROP that have not received laser or avastin and had spontaneous regression of ROP also have some peripheral avascular findings.
    The mesenquimal cells do not migrate to the ora serrata they just stop their migration someway in the peripheral retina because the baby was born so premature. In my NICU i do not perform lasers anymore. Babies have not had ocular complications or systemic.Avastin is going to be most cost effective way to prevent blindness around the world. We are in the same team to help babies to see better.

  • ari weitzner
    on January 16, 2011 12:58 am

    according to the article, those 4 patients simply did not respond adequately.

  • Maria Ana Martinez-Castellanos
    on January 15, 2011 11:08 pm

    I have a question, why did some babies require laser. I have done in the last 5 years over 200 injections of avastin in ROP stage 3, none of them required laser, some has avascular retina but they have been stable with no neovascularization after a large follow up. I think that antiangiogenic therapy is turning our sights to a new way of treatment for ROP.