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Safety and Efficacy of Switching From Aflibercept to Ranibizumab in Patients With nAMD (SAFARI)

Primary Purpose

Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 4
Locations
International
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Ranibizumab
Sponsored by
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration focused on measuring Macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), vision loss, macula damage, retina damage, dry macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration, AMD

Eligibility Criteria

50 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥23 ETDRS letters in study eye
  • Evidence of active choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) involving the center of the fovea in study eye Patient subgroup specific inclusion criteria: - Group 1. Primary treatment failure
  • Initiated treatment with aflibercept <130 days prior to the Screening Visit.
  • No increase in BCVA (≥5 letters) since commencing treatment with aflibercept.
  • Disease activity has never been controlled in the study eye after initiating aflibercept as defined by at least one of the following: evidence of unchanged or increasing retinal or subretinal fluid; new PED; unchanged or increasing size of preexisting PED.

Group 2. Suboptimal treatment response

  • Aflibercept commenced ≥6 months prior to the Screening Visit.
  • Received ≥3 aflibercept injections into the study eye within 6 months of the Screening Visit.
  • Evidence of previous reduced disease activity (as defined by reduction of ≥50μm in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness on OCT) noted in the study eye after initiating aflibercept.
  • At Screening Visit, disease activity has worsened (as defined by increasing retinal* or subretinal fluid, or new or increasing size of PED) in the study eye compared to prior visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack or myocardial infarction within 3 months of the Screening visit.
  • Uncontrolled blood pressure
  • Evidence of bilateral active CNV during the Screening Period or at Baseline requiring bilateral antiVEGF injections.
  • Prior intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab into the study eye and/or prior intravitreal injection of bevacizumab into the fellow eye.
  • Cataract (if causing significant visual impairment), aphakia, severe vitreous hemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, proliferative retinopathy or choroidal neovascularization of any other cause than wet AMD (e.g. ocular histoplasmosis, pathologic myopia (≥8 dioptres)) at the time of Screening and Baseline.
  • Irreversible structural damage involving the center of the fovea (e.g. advanced fibrosis or geographic atrophy) which in the opinion of the Investigator is sufficient to irreversibly impair visual acuity.
  • Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), RPE tear, central serous retinopathy (CSR), or significant vitreomacular traction identified during Screening period or within 4 months of Baseline visit.
  • Unable to obtain at Screening OCT images of sufficient quality to be analyzed

Sites / Locations

  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Novartis Investigative Site

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

Ranibizumab

Arm Description

All patients received 3 monthly intraveal injections of 0.5mg ranibizumab followed by monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.5mg for a further 3 months on a prn (as required) basis, as determined by the study doctor.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness (CSRT) From Baseline to Day 90.
Measurement of the change in CSRT, determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) after 3 monthly injections of ranibizumab. OCT is a non-invasive technique which can determine and measure thickness of the retina. A negative change from Baseline indicates an improvement (less retinal fluid and lower disease activity). Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in Subfoveal Retinal Thickness (SRT) From Baseline to Day 180
Measurement of change in SRT from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness (CSRT) From Baseline to Day 180
Measurement of change in CSRT from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Volume (CSRV) From Baseline to Day 180
Measurement of change in CSRV from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Number of Patients With Intraretinal Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Intraretinal Fluid. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Number of Patients With Subretinal Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Subretinal Fluid. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Number of Patients With Intraretinal/Subretinal Fluid Within the Central Subfield Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Intraretinal/Subretinal Fluid Within the Central Subfield. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Number of Patients With Pigment Epithelial Detachments Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Pigment Epithelial Detachments. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Number of Patients With Dry Retina Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Dry Retina. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Maximum PED Height From Baseline to Day 180
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) Height. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Maximum PED Diameter From Baseline to Day 180
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) Diameter. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Maximum IRC Height From Baseline to Day 180
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Intraretinal Cyst (IRC) Height. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in the Study Eye
BCVA was assessed as letters read and measured in a sitting position using subjective refraction and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS)-like visual acuity testing charts at an initial testing distance of 4 meters.
Change in ETDRS Letters for Study Eye From Baseline to Day 180
Number of patients gaining at least 15 letters from Baseline to Day 180
Incidence of Ocular TEAEs in the Study Eye Reported by ≥2% Patients From Baseline to Day 180
Incidence of ocular Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) in the study eye reported by ≥2% patients by preferred term.

Full Information

First Posted
June 10, 2014
Last Updated
February 8, 2019
Sponsor
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT02161575
Brief Title
Safety and Efficacy of Switching From Aflibercept to Ranibizumab in Patients With nAMD
Acronym
SAFARI
Official Title
A Phase IV, Prospective, Open-label, Uncontrolled, European Study in Patients With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD), Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Switching From Intravitreal Aflibercept to Ranibizumab 0.5mg.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
February 2019
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
August 28, 2014 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
September 14, 2017 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
September 14, 2017 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Novartis Pharmaceuticals

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) is the leading cause of severe visual loss and blindness registration in the UK . It is a disease which affects the retina (the nerve and blood vessel network at the back of the eye responsible for vision). Patients can suffer with severe visual loss and have difficulties with every day tasks such as recognising faces, reading & driving. There are two variations of the disease, a 'dry' type & a 'wet' type also known as neovascular AMD (nAMD). In wet/nAMD new vessels grow from the blood supply underneath the retina, in part due to higher than normal levels of a protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Since the introduction of drugs which block VEGF, visual outcomes for patients with wAMD have dramatically improved. There are 2 widely used treatments; ranibizumab and aflibercept. Whilst the majority of patients have a successful outcome with treatment, many patients experience suboptimal response. This study evaluated if these patients experience a benefit from a switch to a different antiVEGF drug treatment. In this study nAMD patients who are showing no or poor to response to treatment with aflibercept were switched to ranibizumab to assess if there is any benefit in terms of treatment outcomes. Patients visited the hospital clinic 8 times over the 7 - 8 month study period. Monthly ranibizumab injections were given for the first 3 months, then monthly as required for the next 3 months.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Keywords
Macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), vision loss, macula damage, retina damage, dry macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration, AMD

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 4
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
103 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Ranibizumab
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
All patients received 3 monthly intraveal injections of 0.5mg ranibizumab followed by monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.5mg for a further 3 months on a prn (as required) basis, as determined by the study doctor.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Ranibizumab
Intervention Description
Intraveal injections of 0.5mg ranibizumab
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness (CSRT) From Baseline to Day 90.
Description
Measurement of the change in CSRT, determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) after 3 monthly injections of ranibizumab. OCT is a non-invasive technique which can determine and measure thickness of the retina. A negative change from Baseline indicates an improvement (less retinal fluid and lower disease activity). Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 90
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in Subfoveal Retinal Thickness (SRT) From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Measurement of change in SRT from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness (CSRT) From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Measurement of change in CSRT from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Volume (CSRV) From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Measurement of change in CSRV from Baseline to Day 180 as determined by high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). A reduction indicates an improvement in overall disease activity. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Number of Patients With Intraretinal Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Description
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Intraretinal Fluid. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Number of Patients With Subretinal Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Description
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Subretinal Fluid. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline to Day 180
Title
Number of Patients With Intraretinal/Subretinal Fluid Within the Central Subfield Fluid Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Description
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Intraretinal/Subretinal Fluid Within the Central Subfield. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Number of Patients With Pigment Epithelial Detachments Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Description
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Pigment Epithelial Detachments. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Number of Patients With Dry Retina Assessed at Baseline and Day 180
Description
Presence or absence of qualitative OCT parameter Dry Retina. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Maximum PED Height From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) Height. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Maximum PED Diameter From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) Diameter. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Maximum IRC Height From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Change from Baseline to Day 180 in Maximum Intraretinal Cyst (IRC) Height. Data collected on the study eye were used for the evaluation of efficacy.
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in the Study Eye
Description
BCVA was assessed as letters read and measured in a sitting position using subjective refraction and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS)-like visual acuity testing charts at an initial testing distance of 4 meters.
Time Frame
Baseline, Day 90 and Day 180
Title
Change in ETDRS Letters for Study Eye From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Number of patients gaining at least 15 letters from Baseline to Day 180
Time Frame
Baseline and Day 180
Title
Incidence of Ocular TEAEs in the Study Eye Reported by ≥2% Patients From Baseline to Day 180
Description
Incidence of ocular Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) in the study eye reported by ≥2% patients by preferred term.
Time Frame
Baseline to Day 180

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
50 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥23 ETDRS letters in study eye Evidence of active choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) involving the center of the fovea in study eye Patient subgroup specific inclusion criteria: - Group 1. Primary treatment failure Initiated treatment with aflibercept <130 days prior to the Screening Visit. No increase in BCVA (≥5 letters) since commencing treatment with aflibercept. Disease activity has never been controlled in the study eye after initiating aflibercept as defined by at least one of the following: evidence of unchanged or increasing retinal or subretinal fluid; new PED; unchanged or increasing size of preexisting PED. Group 2. Suboptimal treatment response Aflibercept commenced ≥6 months prior to the Screening Visit. Received ≥3 aflibercept injections into the study eye within 6 months of the Screening Visit. Evidence of previous reduced disease activity (as defined by reduction of ≥50μm in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness on OCT) noted in the study eye after initiating aflibercept. At Screening Visit, disease activity has worsened (as defined by increasing retinal* or subretinal fluid, or new or increasing size of PED) in the study eye compared to prior visits. Exclusion Criteria: History of cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack or myocardial infarction within 3 months of the Screening visit. Uncontrolled blood pressure Evidence of bilateral active CNV during the Screening Period or at Baseline requiring bilateral antiVEGF injections. Prior intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab into the study eye and/or prior intravitreal injection of bevacizumab into the fellow eye. Cataract (if causing significant visual impairment), aphakia, severe vitreous hemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, proliferative retinopathy or choroidal neovascularization of any other cause than wet AMD (e.g. ocular histoplasmosis, pathologic myopia (≥8 dioptres)) at the time of Screening and Baseline. Irreversible structural damage involving the center of the fovea (e.g. advanced fibrosis or geographic atrophy) which in the opinion of the Investigator is sufficient to irreversibly impair visual acuity. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), RPE tear, central serous retinopathy (CSR), or significant vitreomacular traction identified during Screening period or within 4 months of Baseline visit. Unable to obtain at Screening OCT images of sufficient quality to be analyzed
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Organizational Affiliation
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Official's Role
Study Director
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Bonn
ZIP/Postal Code
53127
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Karlsruhe
ZIP/Postal Code
76135
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Leipzig
ZIP/Postal Code
04103
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Muenster
ZIP/Postal Code
48149
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Mühlheim
ZIP/Postal Code
45468
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
München
ZIP/Postal Code
80336
Country
Germany
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Darlington
State/Province
Durham
ZIP/Postal Code
DL3 6HX
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Harlow
State/Province
Essex
ZIP/Postal Code
CM20 1QX
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Canterbury
State/Province
Kent
ZIP/Postal Code
CT1 3NG
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Aberdeen
State/Province
Scotland
ZIP/Postal Code
AB25 2ZN
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Ipswich
State/Province
Suffolk
ZIP/Postal Code
IP4 5PD
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Frimley
State/Province
Surrey
ZIP/Postal Code
GU16 7UJ
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Bradford
State/Province
West Yorkshire
ZIP/Postal Code
BD9 6RJ
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Belfast
ZIP/Postal Code
BT12 6BA
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
East Kilbride
ZIP/Postal Code
G75 8RG
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Glasgow
ZIP/Postal Code
G12 OYN
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Great Yarmouth
ZIP/Postal Code
NR31 6LA
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Harrogate
ZIP/Postal Code
HG2 7SX
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Liverpool
ZIP/Postal Code
L7 8XP
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
London
ZIP/Postal Code
EC1V 2PD
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
London
ZIP/Postal Code
NW1 5QH
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
London
ZIP/Postal Code
SE5 9RS
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Manchester
ZIP/Postal Code
M13 9WL
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Oxford
ZIP/Postal Code
OX3 9DU
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Southampton
ZIP/Postal Code
SO16 6YD
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Sunderland
ZIP/Postal Code
SR2 9HP
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
Uxbridge
ZIP/Postal Code
UB8 3NN
Country
United Kingdom
Facility Name
Novartis Investigative Site
City
York
ZIP/Postal Code
YO31 8HE
Country
United Kingdom

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Citations:
PubMed Identifier
31383649
Citation
Gale RP, Pearce I, Eter N, Ghanchi F, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Balaskas K, Burton BJL, Downes SM, Eleftheriadis H, George S, Gilmour D, Hamilton R, Lotery AJ, Patel N, Prakash P, Santiago C, Thomas S, Varma D, Walters G, Williams M, Wolf A, Zakri RH, Igwe F, Ayan F. Anatomical and functional outcomes following switching from aflibercept to ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Europe: SAFARI study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020 Apr;104(4):493-499. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314251. Epub 2019 Aug 5.
Results Reference
derived

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Safety and Efficacy of Switching From Aflibercept to Ranibizumab in Patients With nAMD

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