Cancer Drug Could Prevent Blindness in Preemies

Retinopathy of prematurity is a severe risk of blindness in premature babies due to the incomplete formation of blood vessels in the retina, making them susceptible to damage from oxygen and subsequent malformation.

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, online February 16, 2011, shows that a single injection of the cancer drug benvacizumab (Avastin), which blocks angiogenesis, into the eye may be safer and more effective in treating retinopathy of prematurity than the conventional treatment, laser surgery. In the study, 150 babies with retinopathy of prematurity were randomly selected to be treated with either Avastin or laser surgery. All of these babies had advanced damage of the retina near the optic nerve. 6 percent of the babies treated with Avastin had a recurrence of retinopathy of prematurity, compared to 42 percent recurrence in those treated with surgery. In addition, laser surgery destroys blood vessels that support peripheral vision, while the injection does not.

The researchers were not able to make conclusions about the safety of the Avastin injections because of the limited number of infants in the trial. However, due to a history of use in adults, and no observed side effects and small dose in infants, researchers suspect that the method should be safe. However, timing is critical, due to the effect Avastin has on angiogenesis. Injection too early interferes with blood vessel growth, and injection too late causes damage to the retina.

This study is interesting because it brings hope of a more effective, less invasive, safer, and less expensive method for treating a major cause of blindness.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/17/us-blindness-preemies-idUSTRE71F7F520110217