The role of lanreotide in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration: a pilot clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of somatostatin in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).


METHODS
Twenty eyes of 20 patients with CNV were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to treatment with lanreotide (10 eyes) or placebo (10 eyes). Patients received one intramuscular injection of lanreotide or placebo every 15 days for a total of 6 months. Follow-up lasted for 6 months for the control group and 12 months for the study group. The changes in visual acuity and fluorescein angiography at 6 months were compared between the two groups. In addition, the changes in the same parameters within the study group, from 6 to 12 months, were studied.


RESULTS
From baseline to 6 months, the mean visual acuity and surface area of hyperfluorescence remained stable in the study group, while the intensity of hyperfluorescence decreased. After discontinuation of treatment, deterioration of all three parameters was noted in the study group. Statistical analysis, however, failed to reveal any significant difference from baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
During treatment with lanreotide, a trend for stabilization of visual acuity and intensity of hyperfluorescence was documented in the study group, but it did not reach statistically significant levels. Further randomized, controlled clinical trials with larger samples and longer duration of treatment and follow-up are warranted to evaluate the role of lanreotide in the treatment of age-related CNV.
Papadaki
Thekla
T
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Tsilimbaris
Miltiadis
M
Thermos
Kyriaki
K
Karavellas
Marieta
M
Samonakis
Dimitros
D
Papapdakis
Antonis
A
Linardakis
Manolis
M
Kouromalis
Elias
E
Pallikaris
Ioannis
I
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C060347:lanreotide; D013004:Somatostatin