Anti-VEGF Treatment for Prevention of PDR/DME

Sponsored by Jaeb Center for Health Research, in collaboration with JDRF, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Eye Institute (NEI)

Focus Area: Complications Treatment

What is This Study?

Diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are serious complication of diabetes caused by the weakening of blood vessels in the eye, potentially lead to vision-loss. It has been shown that DME and PDR can be treated by injections of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (Anti-VEGF) drugs monthly. This Phase 3 study is testing the effects of earlier intervention among those at high-risk to prevent the complications from progressing, with injections given at one, two and four months, and then every four months thereafter.

Why do We Care?

Anti-VEGF treatment for eye complications from diabetes have literally saved people from going blind. But their efficacy in preventing the complications from developing in the first place has not been proven. If this trial is successful, we may be able to treat complications before they even occur. Additionally, patients would go through the arduous process of having eye injections less often.

When Might we See Results?

Primary outcomes are expected to be reported soon after the study’s primary completion date of May 2020. Subjects will continue to be followed for two more years with four-year outcomes being reported in mid-2020.

Further Reading

Stay tuned for in-depth coverage from Beyond Type 1 on the results of this study. To learn more about this trial click here

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