By Christine Vocke
Director of Education and Information, PXE International

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is sponsoring a clinical trial to study how safe and effective Avastin® is compared to Lucentis® for people who have retinal bleeding due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The trial will also study two different dosing schedules for Avastin and Lucentis.

Lucentis is the most effective treatment for retinal bleeding of AMD studied to date. Avastin and Lucentis both come from the same molecule. Following the encouraging clinical trial results with Lucentis, many retinologists began using Avastin for the treatment of retinal bleeding. Given its molecular similarity to Lucentis, its low cost, and its availability, many doctors and patients are very interested in Avastin. Avastin has not been studied for use in the eye. This trial will compare Avastin and Lucentis for use in the eye.

Earlier studies of Lucentis also did not answer the question of whether fewer treatments, based on the patient´s status, works as well as a fixed schedule of monthly injections. This clinical trial will also look at whether giving treatments of Avastin and Lucentis based on the patient´s response and need for treatment works as well as giving a monthly treatment.

This trial started in February 2008, is still going on, and will test the drugs on about 1200 people in 55 different locations in the United States.

The trial is nicknamed CATT, for Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials: Lucentis-Avastin. You can read more about it here.

Other Clinical Trials for Avastin and Lucentis
There are other clinical trials studying the safety of Avastin and Lucentis in the eye. One study is being conducted in retina centers in Belgium and Israel on people who have AMD. Using a machine that measures pressure inside the eye, scientists will try to find out if injections of Avastin and Lucentis could be causing changes in normal blood vessels that feed the outer part of the eye.

Another study sponsored by NEI will look at whether people with AMD who are receiving Avastin or Lucentis treatment might produce antibodies against the drug, which make it less effective over time. Avastin and Lucentis are being compared in another clinical trial for people who have diabetic retinopathy.

To see all the clinical trials studying Avastin and Lucentis, go to ClinicalTrials and search for avastin AND lucentis.