Bevacizumab Eliminates the Angiogenic Threat for Retinopathy of Prematurity (BEAT-ROP)

Intravitreal Bevacizumab (AvastinTM) Injections Versus Conventional Laser Surgery for Vision-threatening Retinopathy of Prematurity: a Prospective, Randomized, Non-blinded, Controlled, Multi-center, Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and additional advantages of intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of ROP for both Zone I and Zone II Posterior.

This phase 2 study assessed the anti-neovascularization activity of intravitreal bevacizumab, as determined by regression of neovascular vessels of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in neonates with acute stage 3 ROP in zone I or posterior zone II with plus disease. This study enrolled 150 confirmed cases of vision threatening ROP which have definite plus disease [ranging from Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity, to Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity . This was done because of the controversy regarding determining plus disease and the increasing concern that many infants are being treated whose ROP would spontaneously regress. Bevacizumab will be administered intravitreally using 0.625 mg (0.025 ml) injections into each eye. There was no intent to give additional doses unless there was a recurrence of vision threatening stage 3 ROP with plus disease since the disease is self limited by completion of vascularization. Clinical response and any evidence of ocular toxicities were documented by retinal imaging system (manufactured by Clarity Medical Systems, Inc.) taken pre-injection, one week and one month post injection, and at 6 months of age (54 weeks postmenstrual age)(window of 50 to 70 weeks PMA)(primary outcome) and at 12 months of age (80 weeks postmenstrual age)(window of 75 to 100 weeks PMA)(structural documentation). Using the same retinal imaging system, fluorescein angiograms have been taken when possible to document structural outcomes in greater detail. No evidence of systemic toxicities were documented by appropriate clinical and laboratory tests.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiogenesis Inhibitor, Premature infants, Bevacizumab, Zone I or Posterior Zone II ROP, Aggressive Posterior ROP, Stage 3 ROP, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Conventional Laser is applied to the Avascular Peripheral Retina (Anterior to the Vascularized Posterior Retina)

Number of Eyes Showing Recurrence of Neovascularization Arising From the Retinal Vessels and Requiring Re-treatment

For Bevacizumab: Regrowth of new vessels at the site of the original extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation and/or at the site of the anterior edge of inner retinal vascularization. For Laser: Regrowth of new vessels from the vessels at the anterior edge of inner retinal vascularization (remaining after retinal ablation).

Myopia was determined via refraction using a retinoscope and lenses. Myopia is defined as a refractive error reported in Diopters.

The visual acuity will be measured at 20 feet with figures or letters from all infants able to cooperate.

Inclusion Criteria: Infants who have been screened by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus guidelines (≤1500 grams at birth and ≤30 weeks gestation) who develop Stage 3 ROP in zone I or posterior zone II. Informed Consent from a parent or guardian. Exclusion Criteria: Infants who have a congenital systemic anomaly or have a congenital ocular abnormality. Infants who cannot be treated by conventional laser therapy because of problems with media clarity. Generally, blind external cryotherapy would be utilized as an initial therapy and the infant would be excluded from the study even if the media clear subsequently. Informed Consent from a parent or guardian refused. This will mean that an infant automatically will receive laser therapy. Bevacizumab (Avastin®) treatment cannot be given outside of the Protocol. No data will be used from an infant without Informed Consent.

Mintz-Hittner HA, Best LM. Antivascular endothelial growth factor for retinopathy of prematurity. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009 Apr;21(2):182-7. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e32832925f9.

Mintz-Hittner HA. Avastin as monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity. J AAPOS. 2010 Feb;14(1):2-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2009.12.002. No abstract available.

Mintz-Hittner HA. Intravitreal pegaptanib as adjunctive treatment for stage 3+ ROP shown to be effective in a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter clinical trial. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2012 Sep-Oct;22(5):685-6. doi: 10.5301/ejo.5000176.

Mintz-Hittner HA. Treatment of retinopathy of prematurity with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Early Hum Dev. 2012 Dec;88(12):937-41. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2012.09.019. Epub 2012 Oct 15.

Mintz-Hittner HA, Kuffel RR Jr. Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (avastin) for treatment of stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity in zone I or posterior zone II. Retina. 2008 Jun;28(6):831-8. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e318177f934. Erratum In: Retina. 2008 Oct;28(9):1374.

Kong L, Mintz-Hittner HA, Penland RL, Kretzer FL, Chevez-Barrios P. Intravitreous bevacizumab as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for retinopathy of prematurity: a morphologic study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Aug;126(8):1161-3. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2008.1. No abstract available.

Mintz-Hittner HA, Kennedy KA, Chuang AZ; BEAT-ROP Cooperative Group. Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity. N Engl J Med. 2011 Feb 17;364(7):603-15. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1007374.

Geloneck MM, Chuang AZ, Clark WL, Hunt MG, Norman AA, Packwood EA, Tawansy KA, Mintz-Hittner HA; BEAT-ROP Cooperative Group. Refractive outcomes following bevacizumab monotherapy compared with conventional laser treatment: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014 Nov;132(11):1327-33. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2014.2772.

Mintz-Hittner HA, Geloneck MM, Chuang AZ. Clinical Management of Recurrent Retinopathy of Prematurity after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Monotherapy. Ophthalmology. 2016 Sep;123(9):1845-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.04.028. Epub 2016 May 27.