Plasma Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentrations after Intravitreous Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:To assess systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A levels after treatment with intravitreous aflibercept, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab. DESIGN:Comparative-effectiveness trial with participants randomly assigned to 2 mg aflibercept, 1.25 mg bevacizumab, or 0.3 mg ranibizumab after a re-treatment algorithm. PARTICIPANTS:Participants with available plasma samples (N = 436). METHODS:Plasma samples were collected before injections at baseline and 4-week, 52-week, and 104-week visits. In a preplanned secondary analysis, systemic-free VEGF levels from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared across anti-VEGF agents and correlated with systemic side effects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Changes in the natural log (ln) of plasma VEGF levels. RESULTS:Baseline free VEGF levels w

SUBMITTER: Jampol LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6568257 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature