NCT01909791

Brief Summary

Although multiple studies have clearly demonstrated that ranibizumab therapy is more effective than laser alone for vision gain and avoiding vision loss in patients with central-involved Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), only eyes with poor visual acuity, such as a visual acuity letter score of 78 or worse (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/32 or worse) were eligible. Eyes that have central-involved DME with "good" visual acuity (20/25 or better) have not been addressed systematically by recent studies for treatment of DME. Baseline cohort characteristics from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) suggest that a substantial percentage of eyes with central-involved DME may retain good vision. The investigators do not know definitively whether eyes with central-involved DME and good vision do better with anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) (e.g. aflibercept) therapy initially, or focal/grid laser treatment or observation initially followed by anti-VEGF only if vision worsens. The primary objective of the protocol is to compare the % of eyes that have lost at least 5 letters of visual acuity at 2 years compared with baseline mean visual acuity in eyes with central-involved DME and good visual acuity defined as a Snellen equivalent of 20/25 or better (electronic-ETDRS letter score of 79 or better) that receive (1) prompt focal/grid photocoagulation + deferred anti-VEGF, (2) observation + deferred anti-VEGF, or (3) prompt anti-VEGF. Secondary objectives include:

  • Comparing other visual acuity outcomes between treatment groups, such as the percent of eyes with at least 5, 10 and 15 letter losses in visual acuity from baseline mean visual acuity, percent of eyes with at least 5 letter gain in visual acuity from baseline, mean visual acuity, mean change in visual acuity, adjusted for baseline mean visual acuity
  • For eyes randomized to deferred anti-VEGF, the percentage of eyes needing anti-VEGF treatment
  • Comparing optical coherence tomography (OCT) outcomes, such as the mean change in OCT central subfield (CSF) thickness, adjusted for baseline mean thickness
  • Comparing the number of eyes with PDR at randomization, proportion of eyes avoiding vitreous hemorrhage or panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) or vitrectomy for PDR between treatment groups
  • Comparing safety outcomes between treatment groups
  • Comparing associated treatment and follow-up exam costs between treatment groups

Trial Health

90
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
702

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for phase_3

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2013

Longer than P75 for phase_3

Geographic Reach
2 countries

103 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 23, 2013

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 29, 2013

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2013

Completed
4.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 11, 2018

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 11, 2018

Completed
1.3 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

January 3, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

July 31, 2020

Status Verified

July 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

4.9 years

First QC Date

July 23, 2013

Results QC Date

September 11, 2019

Last Update Submit

July 14, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

Diabetic Macular Edemaanti-vascular endothelial growth factor

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Number of Eyes With at Least 5-letter Decrease in E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score From Baseline

    Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/12) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/800).

    2 years

Secondary Outcomes (17)

  • Number of Eyes With at Least 5-letter Increase or at Least 5-, 10-, or 15-letter Decrease in E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score From Baseline

    1 year

  • Change in E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score From Baseline

    1 year

  • Change in E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score From Baseline Over 2 Years (Area Under the Curve)

    2 year

  • Change in OCT Central Subfield Thickness From Baseline

    2 years

  • Number of Eyes With at Least 1 or 2 Logarithmic-step Central Subfield Thickness Improvement and Worsening

    1 year

  • +12 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Prompt Laser + Deferred Aflibercept

EXPERIMENTAL

Focal/grid laser followed by intravitreal aflibercept if vision worsens

Procedure: Prompt LaserDrug: Deferred aflibercept

Observation + Deferred Aflibercept

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

No treatment to start followed by intravitreal aflibercept if vision worsens (deferred laser may be added to intravitreal aflibercept if certain criteria are met)

Procedure: Deferred laserDrug: Deferred aflibercept

Prompt Aflibercept

EXPERIMENTAL

Intravitreal aflibercept at baseline and every 4 weeks as needed (deferred laser may be added to intravitreal aflibercept if certain criteria are met)

Drug: Prompt afliberceptProcedure: Deferred laser

Interventions

Prompt LaserPROCEDURE

Focal/grid laser performed at baseline and as needed during follow-up

Also known as: focal/grid photocoagulation, laser treatment
Prompt Laser + Deferred Aflibercept

Intravitreal injection of 2.0mg aflibercept performed on the day of randomization and up to every 4 weeks using defined treatment criteria

Also known as: intravitreal anti-VEGF, Eylea
Prompt Aflibercept

Focal/grid laser is initiated while receiving anti-VEGF injections only if certain criteria are met

Also known as: focal/grid photocoagulation, laser treatment
Observation + Deferred AfliberceptPrompt Aflibercept

Intravitreal injection of 2.0mg aflibercept performed once certain criteria for vision loss are met and then up to every 4 weeks using defined treatment criteria

Also known as: intravitreal anti-VEGF, Eylea
Observation + Deferred AfliberceptPrompt Laser + Deferred Aflibercept

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age \>= 18 years
  • Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
  • Any one of the following will be considered to be sufficient evidence that diabetes is present:
  • Current regular use of insulin for the treatment of diabetes
  • Current regular use of oral anti-hyperglycemia agents for the treatment of diabetes
  • Documented diabetes by American Diabetes Association (ADA) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent.
  • Meets all of the following ocular criteria in at least the one eye:
  • Best corrected E-ETDRS visual acuity letter score ≥ 79 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/25 or better) at two consecutive visits within 1 to 28 days.
  • On clinical exam, definite retinal thickening due to DME involving the center of the macula.
  • Diabetic macular edema confirmed on OCT (equivalent to CSF thickness on OCT ≥250 microns on Zeiss Stratus or gender-specific spectral domain OCT equivalent) at two consecutive visits within 1 to 28 days.
  • (a) Investigator must verify accuracy of OCT scan by ensuring it is centered and of adequate quality.
  • The investigator is comfortable with the eye being randomized to any of the three treatment groups (observation, laser, or anti-VEGF initially).
  • (a) If focal/grid photocoagulation is contraindicated because all leaking microaneurysms are too close to the fovea or the investigator believes the DME that is present will not benefit from focal/grid photocoagulation, the eye should not be enrolled.
  • Media clarity, pupillary dilation, and individual cooperation sufficient for adequate OCT and fundus photographs.

You may not qualify if:

  • History of chronic renal failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.
  • A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study (e.g., unstable medical status including blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and glycemic control).
  • Initiation of intensive insulin treatment (a pump or multiple daily injections) within 4 months prior to randomization or plans to do so in the next 4 months.
  • Participation in an investigational trial within 30 days of randomization that involved treatment with any drug that has not received regulatory approval for the indication being studied.
  • (a) Note: study participants cannot receive another investigational drug while participating in the study.
  • Known allergy to any component of the study drug.
  • Blood pressure \>180/110 (systolic above 180 OR diastolic above 110). If blood pressure is brought below 180/110 by anti-hypertensive treatment, individual can become eligible.
  • Systemic anti-VEGF or pro-VEGF treatment within 4 months prior to randomization.
  • These drugs should not be used during the study.
  • For women of child-bearing potential: pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant within the next 24 months.
  • (a) Women who are potential study participants should be questioned about the potential for pregnancy. Investigator judgment is used to determine when a pregnancy test is needed.
  • Individual is expecting to move out of the area of the clinical center to an area not covered by another clinical center during the 24 months of the study.
  • Individual has any of the following ocular characteristics:
  • Macular edema is considered to be due to a cause other than DME.
  • a) An eye should not be considered eligible if: (1) the macular edema is considered to be related to ocular surgery such as cataract extraction or (2) clinical exam and/or OCT suggest that vitreoretinal interface abnormalities (e.g., a taut posterior hyaloid or epiretinal membrane) are contributing to the macular edema.
  • +13 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (103)

Arizona Retina and Vitreous Consultants

Phoenix, Arizona, 85021, United States

Location

University of Arizona Medical Center/Department of Ophthalmology

Tucson, Arizona, 85711, United States

Location

Jones Eye Institute/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205-7199, United States

Location

Retinal Diagnostic Center

Campbell, California, 95008, United States

Location

Loma Linda University Health Care, Dept. of Ophthalmology

Loma Linda, California, 92354, United States

Location

South Coast Retina Center

Long Beach, California, 90807, United States

Location

Southern California Desert Retina Consultants, MC

Palm Desert, California, 92211, United States

Location

Retina Consultants of Southern California

Redlands, California, 92374, United States

Location

Retinal Consultants Medical Group, Inc.

Sacramento, California, 95841, United States

Location

California Retina Consultants

Santa Barbara, California, 93103, United States

Location

Bay Area Retina Associates

Walnut Creek, California, 94598, United States

Location

Retinal Consultants of Southern California Medical Group, Inc.

Westlake Village, California, 91361, United States

Location

Retina Group of New England

New London, Connecticut, 06320, United States

Location

New England Retina Associates

Norwich, Connecticut, 06360, United States

Location

National Ophthalmic Research Institute

Fort Myers, Florida, 33912, United States

Location

University of Florida College of Med., Department of Ophthalmology

Jacksonville, Florida, 32209, United States

Location

Florida Retina Consultants

Lakeland, Florida, 33805, United States

Location

Retina Macula Specialists of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33126, United States

Location

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

Location

Ocala Eye Retina Consultants

Ocala, Florida, 34474, United States

Location

Magruder Eye Institute

Orlando, Florida, 32803, United States

Location

Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute

Plantation, Florida, 33324, United States

Location

Center for Sight

Sarasota, Florida, 34239, United States

Location

Sarasota Retina Institute

Sarasota, Florida, 34239, United States

Location

Retina Associates of Florida, P.A.

Tampa, Florida, 33609, United States

Location

Emory Eye Center

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

Location

Southeast Retina Center, P.C.

Augusta, Georgia, 30909, United States

Location

Marietta Eye Clinic

Marietta, Georgia, 30060, United States

Location

Thomas Eye Group

Sandy Springs, Georgia, 30328, United States

Location

Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location

University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

Location

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Glenview, Illinois, 60026, United States

Location

Illinois Retina Associates

Joliet, Illinois, 60435, United States

Location

University Retina and Macula Associates

Oak Forest, Illinois, 60452, United States

Location

Carle Foundation Hospital

Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States

Location

Raj Maturi

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46290, United States

Location

John-Kenyon American Eye Institute

New Albany, Indiana, 47150, United States

Location

Medical Associates Clinic, P.C.

Dubuque, Iowa, 52002, United States

Location

Wolfe Eye Clinic

West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266, United States

Location

University of Kansas Medical Center, Dept. of Ophthalmology

Prairie Village, Kansas, 66208, United States

Location

Retina Associates, P.A.

Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66204, United States

Location

Retina and Vitreous Associates of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky, 40509, United States

Location

Paducah Retinal Center

Paducah, Kentucky, 42001, United States

Location

Elman Retina Group, P.A.

Baltimore, Maryland, 21237, United States

Location

Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287-9277, United States

Location

Joslin Diabetes Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

Location

Vitreo-Retinal Associates, PC

Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, United States

Location

Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105, United States

Location

Henry Ford Health System, Dept of Ophthalmology and Eye Care Services

Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States

Location

Retina Vitreous Center

Grand Blanc, Michigan, 48439, United States

Location

Retina Specialists of Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49525, United States

Location

Vitreo-Retinal Associates

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, United States

Location

Andersen Eye Associates

Saginaw, Michigan, 48603, United States

Location

Retina Center, PA

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404, United States

Location

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

Location

Mayo Clinic Department of Ophthalmology

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

Location

Mid-America Retina Consultants, P.A.

Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States

Location

The Retina Institute

St Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States

Location

Eyesight Ophthalmic Services, PA

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, United States

Location

The Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS)

Newark, New Jersey, 07103, United States

Location

Retinal and Ophthalmic Consultants, PC

Northfield, New Jersey, 08225, United States

Location

Eye Associates of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102, United States

Location

Ross Eye Institute, SUNY Buffalo

Buffalo, New York, 14209, United States

Location

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary/Faculty Eye Practice

New York, New York, 10003, United States

Location

MaculaCare

New York, New York, 10021, United States

Location

Retina Associates of Western New York

Rochester, New York, 14618, United States

Location

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York, 14642, United States

Location

Retina-Vitreous Surgeons of Central New York, PC

Syracuse, New York, 13224, United States

Location

Western Carolina Retinal Associates, PA

Asheville, North Carolina, 28803, United States

Location

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7040, United States

Location

Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Assoc., PA

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210, United States

Location

Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc.

Beachwood, Ohio, 44122, United States

Location

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States

Location

Retina Vitreous Center

Edmond, Oklahoma, 73013, United States

Location

Oregon Retina, LLP

Eugene, Oregon, 97401, United States

Location

Retina Northwest, PC

Portland, Oregon, 97210, United States

Location

Casey Eye Institute

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

Location

Family Eye Group

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17601-2644, United States

Location

Retina Vitreous Consultants

Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 15146, United States

Location

University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

Carolina Retina Center

Columbia, South Carolina, 29223, United States

Location

Palmetto Retina Center

West Columbia, South Carolina, 29169, United States

Location

Southeastern Retina Associates

Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37421, United States

Location

Southeastern Retina Associates, PC

Kingsport, Tennessee, 37660, United States

Location

Southeastern Retina Associates, P.C.

Knoxville, Tennessee, 37909, United States

Location

Southwest Retina Specialists

Amarillo, Texas, 79106, United States

Location

Austin Retina Associates

Austin, Texas, 78705, United States

Location

Retina Research Center

Austin, Texas, 78705, United States

Location

Retina and Vitreous of Texas

Houston, Texas, 77025, United States

Location

Baylor Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location

Retina Consultants of Houston, PA

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location

Texas Retina Associates

Lubbock, Texas, 79424, United States

Location

Valley Retina Institute

McAllen, Texas, 78503, United States

Location

Retinal Consultants of San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, 78240, United States

Location

Retina Associates of Utah, P.C.

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84107, United States

Location

Retina Institute of Virginia

Richmond, Virginia, 23235, United States

Location

Virginia Commonwealth University, Dept. of Ophthalmology

Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States

Location

University of Washington Medical Center

Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States

Location

Spokane Eye Clinic

Spokane, Washington, 99204, United States

Location

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept of Ophthalmology/Retina Service

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

Location

Alberta Retina Consultants

Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 0X5, Canada

Location

University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5T 258, Canada

Location

UBC/VCHA Eye Care Centre

Vancouver, V5Z 3N9, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Glassman AR, Baker CW, Beaulieu WT, Bressler NM, Punjabi OS, Stockdale CR, Wykoff CC, Jampol LM, Sun JK; DRCR Retina Network. Assessment of the DRCR Retina Network Approach to Management With Initial Observation for Eyes With Center-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema and Good Visual Acuity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020 Apr 1;138(4):341-349. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.6035.

    PMID: 32077907BACKGROUND
  • Baker CW, Glassman AR, Beaulieu WT, Antoszyk AN, Browning DJ, Chalam KV, Grover S, Jampol LM, Jhaveri CD, Melia M, Stockdale CR, Martin DF, Sun JK; DRCR Retina Network. Effect of Initial Management With Aflibercept vs Laser Photocoagulation vs Observation on Vision Loss Among Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Involving the Center of the Macula and Good Visual Acuity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 May 21;321(19):1880-1894. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.5790.

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Laser Therapyaflibercept

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

TherapeuticsAblation TechniquesSurgical Procedures, Operative

Results Point of Contact

Title
Adam Glassman
Organization
Jaeb Center for Health Research

Study Officials

  • Carl Baker, MD

    Paducah Retina Center

    STUDY CHAIR
  • Adam Glassman, MS

    Jaeb Center for Health Research

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 23, 2013

First Posted

July 29, 2013

Study Start

October 1, 2013

Primary Completion

September 11, 2018

Study Completion

September 11, 2018

Last Updated

July 31, 2020

Results First Posted

January 3, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-07

Locations