title: Intravitreal injection of pegaptanib sodium for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare the efficacy of intravitreal pegaptanib (IVP) with panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) in the treatment of active proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label, exploratory study. Twenty subjects with active PDR were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive treatment in one eye either with IVP (0.3 mg) every 6 weeks for 30 weeks or with PRP laser. Efficacy endpoints included regression of retinal neovascularisation (NV), changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and foveal thickness. Safety outcomes included observed and reported adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 90% of randomised eyes to IVP, retinal NV showed regression by week 3. By week 12, all IVP eyes were completely regressed and maintained through week 36. In the PRP-treated group, at week 36, two eyes demonstrated complete regression, two showed partial regression, and four showed persistent active PDR. The mean change in BCVA at 36 weeks was +5.8 letters in pegaptanib-treated eyes and -6.0 letters in PRP-treated eyes. Only mild to moderate transient ocular adverse events were reported with pegaptanib.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IVP produces short-term marked and rapid regression of diabetic retinal NV. Regression of NV was maintained throughout the study and at the final visit.
authors.affiliation: Valley Retina Institute, PA, McAllen, TX 78503, USA. research@vritx.com
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Giuliari
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Guel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C495058:pegaptanib