Avastin vs Lucentis

by Samuel
(Israel)

Is Avastin as effective as Lucentis?

Answer

Samuel, you are asking the same question that many other ophthalmologists and patients want to know the answer to.

The FDA approved Avastin in February 2004 for use in combination with another chemotherapy drug as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. When a drug is used for a condition that the FDA has not approved it for, it becomes what is called "off-label" use.

A study conducted by Dr. Philip J Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, showed the eye treated with Avastin™ (bevacizumab) improved significantly.

Currently 47 U.S. eye institutions are involved in macular degeneration research comparing Lucentis and Avastin. The purposes of the study are to determine which drug and treatment schedule is better in treating wet macular degeneration.

The study is still recruiting participants. The estimated study completion date is February 2011.

When the study results are published I will be sure to post them on the website.

To learn more about Avastin, off-label use, and the comparison study click here:

Avastin Macular Degeneration

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN