Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom) for postoperative ocular pain and inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and ocular safety of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom) for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in subjects who have undergone cataract extraction (CE). DESIGN: Two phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trials were conducted under a common protocol. Data were pooled for analyses. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty-seven subjects were sequentially assigned, according to a computer-generated randomization list (2:1), to bromfenac (n = 356) or a placebo (n = 171). INTERVENTION: Subjects who underwent cataract surgery without prior antiinflammatory treatment with a postsurgical Summed Ocular Inflammation Score (SOIS) of > or =3 were treated with either bromfenac or the placebo, instilled twice daily for 14 days in the study eye, and observed for an additional 14 days for safety evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cleared ocular inflammation with a SOIS of 0 (cells< or =5 and absence of flare after 14 days of treatment). Secondary outcomes included time to resolution of ocular inflammation, time to resolution of ocular pain, proportion of subjects with photophobia, and ocular adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups for age, gender, and race. The baseline mean SOIS was 3.7 in both groups. A greater proportion of bromfenac (64.0%) than placebo subjects (43.3%) achieved complete clearance of ocular inflammation at study day 15 (P<0.0001). The effect of bromfenac on clearance of ocular inflammation was as early as study day 3 after initiation of treatment, compared with the placebo (8.4% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.0012). The median time to resolution of ocular pain was 2 days (bromfenac) versus 5 days (placebo) (P<0.0001). Numbers of most ocular adverse events were lower for the bromfenac group than for the placebo group. Eye irritation was reported in a lower percentage of subjects for bromfenac (2.5%) versus placebo (4.7%), as were burning and stinging (1.4% vs. 2.5%), and photophobia (2.0% vs. 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% effectively and rapidly cleared ocular inflammation and reduced ocular pain after CE. There were no serious ocular adverse events, and fewer adverse events were reported for the bromfenac group.

The systemic safety of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09%.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the systemic safety of a commercially available bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in subjects who have undergone cataract extraction. DESIGN: Two phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel, placebo-controlled, clinical trials were conducted under a common protocol. These data were pooled for analysis. SETTING: The setting for this study was a series of multicentered, private, and university-affiliated ophthalmology clinics in the United States. SUBJECTS: A total of 527 subjects were sequentially assigned, according to a computer-generated randomization list (2:1) to either bromfenac (n = 356) or placebo (n = 171). Potential subjects were excluded if using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, anticoagulants, or with uncontrolled ocular or systemic disease, preexisting ocular inflammation, surgical complications, or liver chemistry values of > or =Grade 1 according to World Health Organization Common Toxicity Criteria scoring. INTERVENTION: Subjects who underwent cataract surgery without prior anti-inflammatory treatment and had a postsurgical Summed Ocular Inflammation Score (SOIS) of > or =3 were treated with either bromfenac or placebo. Subjects self-instilled 1 drop of the assigned test agent twice-daily for 14 days and were followed for an additional 14 days for safety evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Safety data were collected and the results for systemic safety are reported in this paper. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty-seven (527) subjects comprised the safety population. A total of 290 of 356 bromfenac and 93 of 171 placebo subjects received 28 doses of test agent. No clinically significant treatment-related systemic adverse effects or changes in liver chemistries were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% demonstrated neither treatment-related systemic adverse events nor evidence of hepatic toxicity.

Pooled efficacy results from two multinational randomized controlled clinical trials of a single intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreous ovine hyaluronidase for the management of vitreous hemorrhage. DESIGN: Two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked studies. Safety data are presented in a companion article in The Journal. METHODS: Eligible patients with vitreous hemorrhage > or = 1 month duration; severe at entry with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/200 were randomized to 55 IU or 75 IU ovine hyaluronidase or saline. Primary efficacy (clearance of hemorrhage sufficient to see the underlying pathology and completion of treatment when indicated) was measured at months 1, 2, and 3. Key secondary endpoints were: > or = 3-line improvement in BCVA; hemorrhage density reduction; and therapeutic utility assessment. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population for common dose groups (55 IU, 75 IU, saline) consisted of 1125 patients. At baseline, 76.3% had diabetes, 90.4% were not able to read any letters on the eye chart, and mean hemorrhage duration was 120 days. Statistical significance was reached in the 55 IU dose group by months 1 and 2 for the primary efficacy endpoint based on an adjusted P-value. By months 1, 2, and 3, 13.2%, 25.5%, and 32.9% of patients (55 IU) reached primary efficacy compared with 5.5%, 16.2%, and 25.6% of saline-treated patients (P < .001; P = .002; P = .025, respectively). Key secondary endpoints confirmed the treatment effect at both doses and all timepoints (P < or = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-five IU ovine hyaluronidase showed statistically significant efficacy as early as months 1 and 2. These results were supported by outcomes for three key secondary endpoints. These results suggest a therapeutic utility of ovine hyaluronidase in the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

Safety results of two phase III trials of an intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) for the management of vitreous hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of intravitreous ovine hyaluronidase for the management of vitreous hemorrhage. DESIGN: Two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked studies. Pooled efficacy data are presented in a companion article in this issue of The Journal. METHODS: Subjects with vitreous hemorrhage > or = 1 month, severe at entry and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/200 in the study eye were randomized to 7.5 IU, 55 IU, 75 IU ovine hyaluronidase, saline, or no injection. Assessments occurred on day 1, week 1, months 1, 2, 3, 6, and then every 6 months for as long as 32 months. Assessments included history, ocular symptoms, adverse events, BCVA, intraocular pressure, external eye examination, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, B-scan ultrasonography, and fundus photography. RESULTS: Of 1362 subjects in the safety population, 1344 received hyaluronidase or saline and 18 no treatment. Iritis was the most common ocular adverse event, occurring in 33.3%, 62.1%, 58.9%, and 62.1% of saline, 7.5 IU, 55 IU, and 75 IU-treated subjects. In eyes with more than mild iritis, a dose response was observed: 8.9%, 20.2%, 33.7%, and 39.7% of saline, 7.5 IU, 55 IU, and 75 IU-treated subjects, respectively, were noted to have moderate or severe iritis. Retinal detachments (RDs) were reported in 9.5% of study eyes: 26 (6.9%), 22 (11.1%), 35 (9.3%), and 45 (11.5%) in the saline, 7.5 IU, 55 IU, and 75 IU-treated subjects. Overall, 1.8% of study eyes had rhegmatogenous RD: 1.1%, 2.5%, 1.6%, and 2.3% of saline, 7.5, 55, and 75 IU treated subjects. Cataracts occurred similarly across treatment groups. No injection-related infectious endophthalmitis was reported. CONCLUSIONS: No serious safety issues were reported after a single intravitreous injection of ovine hyaluronidase. RD incidence was not statistically different between groups. Iritis manifesting as an acute self limited inflammation was the most common adverse event, occurred in a dose response fashion, but was not noted to result in a serious adverse event in any hyaluronidase treated eye.

Fomivirsen: clinical pharmacology and potential drug interactions.

Fomivirsen sodium is a 21-base phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the messenger RNA of the major immediate-early region proteins of human cytomegalovirus, and is a potent and selective antiviral agent for cytomegalovirus retinitis. Following intravitreal administration, fomivirsen is slowly cleared from vitreous with a half-life of approximately 55 hours in humans. Preclinical studies show that fomivirsen distributes to retina and is slowly metabolised by exonuclease digestion. Clearance from retina was shown to be similarly slow following loading from the vitreous. The estimated half-life for clearance of fomivirsen from retina was 78 hours in monkeys following a 115-microg dose. Because of the low doses coupled with slow disposition from the eye, measurable concentrations of drug are not detected in the systemic circulation following intravitreal administration. Systemically administered phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides are highly bound to albumin and alpha2-macroglobulin in blood plasma. Because fomivirsen does not compete for oxidative metabolic processes involved in clearance of many xenobiotics, the most likely mechanism for drug interactions may be altered protein binding of a coadministered drug. The extremely low systemic exposure to this oligodeoxynucleotide following intravitreal administration largely negates its potential ability to interact with systemically administered drugs. Even if fomivirsen were able to access the blood, protein binding assays indicate that drugs that are site I and site II binders of albumin (warfarin, ibuprofen, salicylic acid) are not displaced in the presence of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides of various sequences at concentrations orders of magnitude higher than that seen for fomivirsen. Administration of fomivirsen with numerous systemically administered antiretrovirals (for example zidovudine and zalcitabine) as well as systemically administered anticytomegalovirus agents such as foscarnet and ganciclovir has been reported to be well tolerated. The only reported warning is a recommendation against administration within 2 to 4 weeks of cidofovir treatment due to an increased risk of ocular inflammation.

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and other parts of the world. Historically, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy surgery have been used for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, including diabetic macular edema. Both procedures have proven to be useful under certain conditions but have their limitations. New pathways and processes that promote diabetic retinopathy have been identified, and several new therapeutic approaches are under investigation. These new therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and include antivascular endothelial growth factor agents, corticosteroids, and therapies that may potentially target a number of additional diabetic retinopathy-related factors and processes, including antisense oligonucleotides. Second-generation antisense oligonucleotides, such as iCo-007, may offer a significant advantage in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy by downregulating the signal pathways of multiple growth factors that seem to play a critical role in the process of ocular angiogenesis and vascular leakage. Benefits of such molecules are expected to include the specificity of the kinase target and an extended half-life, resulting in less frequent intravitreal drug administration, resistance to molecule degradation, and a good safety profile.

Predicting response of vitreous hemorrhage after intravitreous injection of highly purified ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase) in patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE: To develop a predictive model for patients with diabetes who are most likely to have vitreous hemorrhage clearing by 3 months after a single, intravitreous injection of highly purified, preservative-free, ovine hyaluronidase (Vitrase; ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irvine, CA). METHODS: Post hoc data analysis was performed on two randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trials of a single intravitreous injection of Vitrase for severe vitreous hemorrhage. Vitreous hemorrhage density was scored using a 0 to 4 vitreous hemorrhage grading scale in 12 radial segments of the fundus ("clock hours"). Reduction in total hemorrhage point score (DeltaTHPS) between baseline and 1 month after injection was analyzed as a predictor of vitreous hemorrhage outcome at 3 months. RESULTS: A strong predictive model was demonstrated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.845 (P < 0.0001). The DeltaTHPS was higher in hyaluronidase-treated subjects than in saline-treated control subjects. Median DeltaTHPS was 8.0 and 6.0 in subjects treated with 55 IU (68 USP) and 75 IU (93 USP) of hyaluronidase respectively, versus 2.0 in saline control subjects (P < 0.0001). discussion. The DeltaTHPS at 1 month provides quantitative guidance for predicting the outcome of a single intravitreous ovine hyaluronidase injection in patients with diabetes and severe vitreous hemorrhage (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00198510 and NCT00198497).

Fomivirsen.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis can rapidly lead to blindness in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fomivirsen is a novel antisense drug with a 21-nucleotide sequence complementary to the immediate early region 2 of CMV messenger ribonucleic acid. In clinical trials, fomivirsen was shown to provide effective treatment for newly diagnosed, peripheral CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS and in those with relapsed CMV retinitis that is unresponsive to conventional therapy. These trials also demonstrated that local treatment with fomivirsen does not result in measurable systemic absorption of fomivirsen or its metabolites. Thus, there is minimal risk of systemic exposure to fomivirsen or its metabolites with intravitreal dosing at either 165 mcg or 330 mcg. The only clinically relevant adverse events are mild to moderate local ocular effects that are transient and manageable with topical medications. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.

Evolving guidelines for intravitreous injections.

Intravitreous (i.v.t.) injection is increasingly being incorporated into the management of ocular diseases. While only fomivirsen sodium (Vitravene) is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an i.v.t. injection, the number of approved i.v.t. injections indications is anticipated to grow on the basis of promising results from ongoing clinical studies. Despite the potential benefits that may be derived from intraocular injections of different agents, no guidelines have been published previously for i.v.t. injection. The purpose of this document is to identify specific strategies for the delivery of i.v.t. injection that may reduce risks and improve outcomes. Consensus was sought among a panel of investigators, surgeons experienced with this technique, and industry representatives. Objective evidence was sought for all guidelines, but consensus was accepted where evidence remains incomplete. In the absence of either evidence or consensus, the current manuscript identifies outstanding issues in need of further investigation. It is anticipated that more complete guidelines will evolve over time, potentially altering some of the guidelines included here, based on new applications of i.v.t. injection, additional clinical experience, and results of clinical trials.