Key Takeaways

  • A combination therapy that includes sozinibercept and the anti-VEGF-A drug ranibizumab previously demonstrated visual acuity improvements in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). 
  • A new study shows that DME patients can go longer between injections with the combination therapy, which could potentially reduce treatment burden. 

VEGF inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor, a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. Most VEGF inhibitors used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) only block the activity of a VEGF family member called VEGF-A. Sozinibercept (OPT-302) is a drug that blocks two other family members, VEGF-C and D. Used in association with the classic VEGF-A inhibitors, this new drug could provide complete protection against VEGF, enhancing the outcomes of treatment for patients with DME. At the American Society of Retina Specialists meeting, Nathan C. Steinle, MD, of California Retina Consultants, said patients who are treated with an anti-VEGF-A inhibitor often have an increase in the levels of VEGF-C and -D, “and it might represent … why some of our patients don’t have full or optimal control with anti-VEGF-A alone.”

Previous research demonstrated visual acuity improvements in DME patients treated with a combination therapy of sozinibercept 2 mg and ranibizumab 0.5 mg, so Steinle and colleagues conducted a phase 1b study to investigate safety and durability of sozinibercept combination therapy through 6 months. The study enrolled nine patients with prior-treated diabetic macular edema who received a combination of sozinibercept (0.3 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg) and the anti-VEGF-A drug aflibercept 2 mg. 

Before receiving the combination therapy, patients received an average of 6.6 anti-VEGF-A injections.  After three initial loading doses, from week 8 through week 24 the mean number of injections was only 0.4.  Time to first supplemental injection was 79.6 days, showing an overall reduction of treatment burden. Sozinibercept also showed a similar safety profile to other anti-VEGF therapies. Therefore, sozinibercept combination therapy may prove to be a more durable therapy than anti-VEGF-A monotherapy. 

Edited by Miriam Kaplan, PhD

Source: Anthony DeFino, Healio Ocular Surgery News, July 29, 2024; see source article