Ziv-aflibercept in Ocular Disease Requiring Anti-VEGF Injection

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Background/aims: Aflibercept is an approved therapy for neovascular macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vein occlusion and other retinal conditions. Ziv-aflibercept is also approved by FDA and is extremely cost-effective relative to the expensive same molecule aflibercept. In vitro and in vivo studies did not detect toxicity to the retinal pigment epithelium cells using the approved cancer protein, ziv-aflibercept. Ziv-aflibercept had no loss of anti-VEGF activity when kept at 4°C in polycarbonate syringes over 4 weeks. Similar to bevacizumab, compounded ziv-aflibercept would yield a tremendous saving compared to aflibercept or ranibizumab. Phase I studies and case reports did not report any untoward toxic effects but attested to the clinical efficacy of the medication. Our purpose is to ascertain the long-term safety and efficacy in various retinal diseases of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept. Methods: Prospectively, consecutive patients with retinal disease that require aflibercept (AMD, DME, RVO, and others) will undergo instead the same molecule ziv-aflibercept intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml of fresh filtered ziv-aflibercept (1.25mg). Monitoring of best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, cataract progression, and retinal structure by spectral domain OCT to be done initially, one month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after injections. Anticipated Results: Analyze signs of retinal toxicity, intraocular inflammation, or change in lens status, together with best corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 year. Anticipated Conclusions: Off label use of ziv-aflibercept improves visual acuity without ocular toxicity and offers a cheaper alternative to the same molecule aflibercept (or lucentis), especially in the third world similar to bevacizumab.

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