Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor bevacizumab (avastin) for radiation retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intravitreal bevacizumab for radiation retinopathy.


METHODS
After plaque radiation therapy, 6 patients developed radiation retinopathy (retinal edema, hemorrhages, microangiopathy, and neovascularization). Intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg in 0.05 mL) was periodically injected (every 6-8 weeks). Ophthalmic evaluations included visual acuity, ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (OCT/SLO) imaging.


RESULTS
No bevacizumab-related ocular or systemic adverse effects have occurred within the first 8 months of therapy. Progressive reductions in retinal hemorrhages, exudates, cotton-wool spots, and microangiopathy were documented by photography, angiography, and OCT/SLO imaging. Decreased macular edema was the most common finding. Improvement or stabilization of visual acuity was noted in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab was tolerated, improved or maintained vision, and reduced hemorrhage and retinal edema (angiographic leakage). This study should lead to additional and longer-term studies of humanized monoclonal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody therapy for radiation retinopathy.
Finger
Paul T
PT
The New York Eye Cancer Center, 115 E 61st St, New York, NY 10021, USA. pfinger@eyecancer.com
Chin
Kimberly
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012160:Retina / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab