A phase I trial of an IV-administered vascular endothelial growth factor trap for treatment in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and biological activity of IV administration of vascular endothelial growth factor trap (VEGF Trap), a recombinant protein containing the binding domains of VEGF receptors 1 and 2, in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients were enrolled (11 male, 14 female); 19 received VEGF Trap (0.3 [n = 7], 1.0 [n = 7], or 3.0 mg/kg [n = 5]), and 6 received a placebo.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive a placebo or 0.3-, 1.0-, or 3.0-mg/kg VEGF Trap--a single IV dose followed by a 4-week observation period and then 3 doses 2 weeks apart.


METHODS
Safety and biological activity, including change in excess retinal thickness and volume assessed by optical coherence tomography and visual acuity (VA) measured by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol.


RESULTS
The majority of adverse events attributable to VEGF Trap were mild to moderate in severity, but 2 of 5 patients treated with 3.0 mg/kg experienced dose-limiting toxicity (1 with grade 4 hypertension and 1 with grade 2 proteinuria); therefore, all patients in the 3.0 mg/kg-dose group were withdrawn from the study. The mean percent changes in excess retinal thickness were -12%, -10%, -66%, and -60%, respectively, for the placebo and 0.3-, 1.0-, and 3.0-mg/kg groups at day 15 (P<0.02 by analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]) and -5.6%, +47.1%, and -63.3% for the placebo and 0.3- and 1.0-mg/kg groups at day 71 (P<0.02, ANCOVA). A significant change in VA was not noted in this small study.


CONCLUSIONS
The maximum tolerated dose of IV VEGF Trap in this study population was 1.0 mg/kg. This dose resulted in elimination of about 60% of excess retinal thickness after either single or multiple administrations. Alternative routes of delivery to increase the therapeutic window are being explored.
Nguyen
Quan Dong
QD
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland MD 21287-9277, USA.
Shah
Syed Mahmood
SM
Hafiz
Gulnar
G
Quinlan
Edward
E
Sung
Jennifer
J
Chu
Karen
K
Cedarbaum
Jesse M
JM
Campochiaro
Peter A
PA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity
D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C475927:VEGF-Trap fusion protein, recombinant; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor