Bevacizumab Eliminates the Angiogenic Threat for Retinopathy of Prematurity

This phase 2 study assessed the anti-neovascularization activity of intravitreal bevacizumab, as determined by regression of neovascular vessels of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in neonates with acute stage 3 ROP in zone I or posterior zone II with plus disease. This study enrolled 150 confirmed cases of vision threatening ROP which have definite plus disease \[ranging from Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity, to Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity . This was done because of the controversy regarding determining plus disease and the increasing concern that many infants are being treated whose ROP would spontaneously regress. Bevacizumab will be administered intravitreally using 0.625 mg (0.025 ml) injections into each eye. There was no intent to give additional doses unless there was a recurrence of vision threatening stage 3 ROP with plus disease since the disease is self limited by completion of vascularization. Clinical response and any evidence of ocular toxicities were documented by retinal imaging system (manufactured by Clarity Medical Systems, Inc.) taken pre-injection, one week and one month post injection, and at 6 months of age (54 weeks postmenstrual age)(window of 50 to 70 weeks PMA)(primary outcome) and at 12 months of age (80 weeks postmenstrual age)(window of 75 to 100 weeks PMA)(structural documentation). Using the same retinal imaging system, fluorescein angiograms have been taken when possible to document structural outcomes in greater detail. No evidence of systemic toxicities were documented by appropriate clinical and laboratory tests.