Avastin® for age-related macular degeneration

Duration: July 2007 - October 2007

Research question/objective: Age-related macular degeneration is a potentially blinding disease, caused by neovascularisation, a pathological growth of blood vessels in the retina. In recent years the management of AMD has been significantly changed by new treatment options, such as VEGF/vascular endothelial growth factor, which inhibits the growth. Ranibizumab/Lucentis was approved for the treatment of AMD in spring 2007, the almost identical drug Bevacizumab/Avastin is currently only approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer, but is being used extensively in an "off-label" manner in ophtalmological practice, because of its proven equal effectiveness. Avastin has not undergone rigorous clinical trials or comparative research. Avastin is considerably less expensive. The aim of this assessment is to systematically analyse the side-effects and safety aspects of Avastin in the treatment of AMD.

Method: Systematic search and analysis of clinical studies on safety issues and Avastin´s profile of side-effects; rapid assessment in cooperation with six European countries

Publication: Rapid Assessment LBI-HTA 02

Contact: Claudia Wild