User:Ianneub/Lucentis

Approved in June 2006 by the FDA for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Phase III trials have shown significant improvements in patient vision after one year.

Success

 * Phase III trials indicated (after one year)
 * 95% of patients maintained eye level
 * 40% improved their vision
 * Up to 40% achieved vision of 20/40 or better

Versus Visudyne photodynamic therapy (PDT)

 * Only 64% of patients maintained or improved their vision

How it works
Lucentis binds to and inhibits VEGF-A, a protein that is believed to play a critical role in the formation of new blood vessels. In wet AMD, these blood vessels grow under the retina and leak blood and fluid causing rapid damage to the macula, the portion of the eye responsible for fine, detailed central vision.

Safety
Lucentis is not recomended in patients with hypersensitivity and ocular or periocular infections.

Side effects
At least 6% more patients in the study had these effects compared to the control group
 * conjunctival hemorrhage, causing red eye
 * eye pain
 * vitreous floaters
 * increased intraocular pressure
 * intraocular inflammation

Less than 0.1% of patients in the study experienced these effects due to the procedure it self.
 * endophthalmitis
 * retinal detachments
 * traumatic cataracts

Versus Avastin
Avastin has shown similar, but not as good results. Avastin (~$50/dose), costs much less than Lucentis (~1950/dose). Avastin has not been clinically proven to maintain or improve AMD. Avastin is made by the same company as Lucentis and stems from the same research.