Establish the efficacy of initial high frequency loading of intravitreal pegaptanibbi-weekly during the initial treatment period when the VEGF levels are the greatest andthen gradually extending the administration frequency to monthly as homeostasis ensuesfor the treatment of DME, as measured by best-corrected visual acuity.
Determine if high frequency loading intravitreal pegaptanib will reduce the area and/or
volume of DME, as assessed by Spectral Domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and
to determine if this loading with gradual taper schedule of intravitreal pegaptanib will
reduce the need for macular laser treatment.
Drug: Macugen (Pegaptanib Sodium)
Pegaptanib sodium drug substance is a pegylated (40 kDa branched PEG molecule consisting
of two 20 kDa PEG arms) anti-VEGF aptamer. It is formulated in phosphate buffered saline
at pH 6-7. Sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid may be added for pH adjustment.
Pegaptanib sodium is formulated at 0.3mg/90µl and presented in USP Type I glass barrel
syringes sealed with a bromobutyl rubber plunger stopper. The syringe has a needle
attachment at allows for a 30-guage need to be fixed to the syringe prior to injection.
The stoppered syringe is packaged in a foil pouch. The drug product is preservative-free
and intended for single use by intravitreous injection only.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Type I or Type II diabetics, with an age of 18 years of older
- Vision of 20/40-20/400 in the Study Eye
- Diabetic Macular Edema as documented by SD-OCT and Fluorescein Angiogram.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Cannot attened all trail required visits
- Eyes in which retinal surgery is needed now are is likely to be needed within 6
months, which the surgeon believes will not respond to non-surgical intervention.
- Presence of any abnormality that is likely to confound assessment of visual acuity
improvement in eyes in which macular edema resolves, or improves, such as
non-perfusion greater than 1 disc area involving the foveal avascular zone,
epiretinal membrane associated with signs of contraction and/or significant
opacification, or presence of chorioretinal atrophy involving the center of the
macula.
- Vitreomacular traction determined clinically and/or by OCT, which, in the
investigator's opinion, contributes to the macular edema, or causes associated
foveal detachment, and would preclude improvement with pegaptanib sodium.
- Previous treatment with intravitreal corticosteroids in the study eye within 3
months of Day 0 visit.
- Previous treatment with intravitreal anti-angiogenic drugs in the study eye within 2
months of Day 0 visit.
- Previous intraocular surgery within 30 days of Day 0 visit.
- Any ocular or periocular infection within 30 days of Day 0 visit.
- Any of the following underlying diseases including:
History or evidence of severe cardiac disease (e.g., NYHA Functional Class III or IV -
see Appendix 16.6), clinical or medical history of unstable angina, acute coronary
syndrome, myocardial infarction or revascularization within 6 months, ventricular
tachyarrythmias requiring ongoing treatment.
History or evidence of clinically significant peripheral vascular disease, such as
intermittent claudication or prior amputation.
History or evidence of clinically significant impaired renal or hepatic function Stroke
(within 12 months of trial entry). Any major surgical procedure within one month of trial
entry.
- Any treatment with an investigational agent in the past 30 days for any condition.
- Known serious allergies to the fluorescein dye used in angiography or to the
components of pegaptanib sodium formulation.
Retina Institute of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Investigator: Debbie Shimabukuro, RN
Contact: 808-955-0255
deb@retinahawaii.com
Investigator: Michael D Bennett, MD
Michael D Bennett, MD
(808) 955-0255
mikebennett@retinahawaii.com
Michael D Bennett, MD, Principal Investigator
Retina Institute of Hawaii